°°°°°°Ü °°Ü °°°ÜÜ°°°Ü °°°°°°Ü °°°°°°Ü °°Ü °°°ÜÜ°°°Ü °°°°°°Ü °°°°°°Ü °°Ûß°°Û °°Û °°Û°°Û°°Û °°Ûßßßß ß°°Ûßß °°Û °°Û°°Û°°Û °°Ûßßßß °°Ûßßßß °°°°°Ûß °°Û °°Û ßß°°Û °°°°°Ü °°Û °°Û °°Û ßß°°Û °°°°°Ü °°°°°°Ü °°Ûß°°Ü °°Û °°Û °°Û °°Ûßßß °°Û °°Û °°Û °°Û °°Ûßßß ßßß°°Û °°Û °°Û °°Û °°Û °°Û °°°°°°Ü °°Û °°Û °°Û °°Û °°°°°°Ü °°°°°°Û ßß ßß ßß ßß ßß ßßßßßß ßß ßß ßß ßß ßßßßßß ßßßßßß =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= OCTOBER RELAYNET INTERNATIONAL MESSAGE EXCHANGE NEWSLETTER 1992 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= ÖÄÄÄÄÄ¿ · º ÕÍ» ³ Ç· Ú· ÖÄ º ÀĽ ³ ÓÓ ÀРĽ º ÕÍÍ; · þ · þ · º ³ Ö· ÖÄ ×Ä º · Ö· º/ Ú· Ö· Ö· · ·· Ö· Ö¶ È; Ó½ Ľ Ó½ Ó Ó ÓÓ ÓÓ ÀÐ Ó Ó Ó Ó/ ÓÄ Ó½ References to conferences and sites in RIME Times have been changed to those in use in Postlink. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Most recent count of Postlink nodes - 505 and growing --------------------------------------------------------------------------- RIME Times Staff Editor.....................................................Curt Akin ->MORE Editorial Associates: Copy Editor and Design Consultant.................J. Barrett ->MORE Security and Safe Computing.......................J. Barrett ->MORE Jackie's Beanstalk.........................Jackie Jones ->SYLLABLES ShareWare.....................................Patrick Grote ->SHRPT The Inner View..............................Inez Harrison ->MOONDOG Editor of Poetry in Motion distributed by RIME Plunderings......................................Brian Lee ->THEHUB Who's Who....................................Patrick Lee ->RUNNINGB --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Table of Contents --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Article# Subject Author 1 Frankly, Curt Curt Akin Node ID ->MORE 2 Jackie's Beanstalk Jackie Jones Node ID ->SYLLABLES 3 RIME's Infinite Possibilities Morten Sillesen Node ID ->DKBBBS 4 Plunderings Brian Lee Node ID ->THEHUB 5 Postlink Bash Jackie Jones Node ID ->SYLLABLES 6 Virus Triggering in October J. Barrett Node ID ->MORE 7 Conference News James Wall Node ID ->DREAM 8 Who's Who and What's What Patrick Lee Node ID ->RUNNINGB 9 Notices -------------------------------------------------------------------------- =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1 - FRANKLY, CURT From your Editor, Node ID ->MORE =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= A very large invisible vacuum cleaner usually arrives in Newport around Labor Day and sucks all the tourists out of town and blows them out its other end back, safely, into their home towns. This year the vacuum cleaner is late -- the town still stands still gawking at folk with designer license plates stopped dead in the middle of busy streets discussing the best angle for a great picture of a quaint corner of our town. They will leave. Certain things are inevitable. RIME faced an inevitable this summer as well, one which culminated at a coming out party of sorts at Bonnie's in August. It was indeed a grand time, but one with a bit of a serious purpose. A new network foundation for RIME was announced that weekend -- the beginning of a new era for store and forward messaging systems, certainly the beginning of a new era for RIME, its participants, and its Sysops. A beginning, as many will attest, not without pain, but with extraordi- nary promise. RIME has become, once again, a pioneer in message networking software. The software upon which RIME has depended since 1987 was fine stuff in its day. Kip Compton wrote it during Spring break. Kip was 15, and the network consisted of a handful of nodes. I remember the excitement when I, as node #17, received a 50K file of mail. However, over the next 5 years, the 50K mail runs became 20 times that size, and the 17 nodes grew to slightly less than 1,000. PCRelay was never designed to handle either this volume of mail or this number of nodes. Both network file transfers and messaging was becoming unreliable -- it was unreliable in unpredictable ways. Many network participants never noticed, or noticed only now and then, that messages were not making it from point A to point C but did make the trip to points B and D. Multiple-part messages found themselves split apart with different parts arriving willy nilly at different nodes. Many would comment at seeing quotes from messages they had never received. And so it went. On October 15th, the entire RIME network will have switched over to the new software -- Postlink. You, the network participants have endured the switch with only a bit of mumbling. Beginning October 15th, your routed mail will work again, your private mail will again flow like normal. Postlink is reliable, and it provides a foundation upon which many exciting things may be built in the future. REMEMBER: in RIME you can't send private mail that is not also routed. The first private message in a thread that you send MUST be routed. When answering a private, routed message, however, Postlink's autorouting feature jumps in and routes the message automatically for you. Bonnie has sent RIMEMAN.ZIP to all Postlink nodes. Get a copy. If it isn't available on the board you call, ask your SysOp about it. It explains many of the new features. When, in the years to come, Postlink is touted as THE networking software to use, remember: you were part of its birth. In this issue, Morten wraps up his RIMEing through America, Jackie applauds the modeming togethership of RIME as it moves into the Postlink era, Brian Lee shares some words from Dell, and J warns of viruses. Inez will rejoin us next month once she recovers from a major brain warp having to do with DOS 5.0, 4DOS, GSZ, and insisting that my name is Tony. Until next month, when I hope to bring you more ramblings from the world of RIME... I remain, Frankly, Curt =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 2 - JACKIE'S BEANSTALK By Jackie Jones, Node ID ->MORE =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Autumn laces the Beanstalk's leaves with gold and rust as the month of October leads us into winter. Along with the lessening of the daylight, the lessening of our PostLink problems promises a new era for RIME. Within the word-web of RIME, the past two months have shown the growth of a fabulous symbiosis. The challenge came in August. We had a need to stand together, to help each other, to sooth anxieties. We had a need to solve our problems -- or watch the net unravel. In the two months that followed, there were many difficult periods. Telephone wires buzzed with cries for help, from the modems and from voices. Bonnie Anthony and Howard Belasco spent sleepless nights and stress-filled days. SysOps mumbled, "Squeeze the quarter", as we suffered PostLink's birth pangs. What has been shown in those two months has been a large group of people who have tried to work together, to the best of their ability. The advice and instructions on the newcomer in our midst came from all quarters. If the modem mail was lost or delayed, phone calls and letters resulted. The people of RIME hung together in a cohesive unit. What has been shown in the past two months is that we are capable of doing so. This month may show the final phase of the journey, as we all switch over to our new software. Postlink has been born, and well borne by all! Congratulations to all of us. On another note, the November 8 issue of the New York Times will have a supplement entitled "The New York Times Fall Review of Computers". RIME will be represented in the work of Del Freeman, of _Ruby's Pearls_, and in my own work in _Jackie's Beanstalk_. Take a look, and enjoy. I hope to be able to gather bigger and better fruit for the Beanstalk in the coming months. Drop me a note and tell me your story. The lines ARE OPEN! Talk to you later!  Jackie =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 3 - RIME'S INFINITE POSSIBILITIES By Morten Sillesen, Node ID ->DKBBBS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= IT'S OVER! ^^^^^^^^^^ My trip to the USA has come to an end. It is like saying goodbye to an old friend - you get a special feeling in your stomach and really don't want to do it. But you have to. You have to make everything history and turn your back to all the experiences you had in the past and make them memories. Lyle Davis and his wife Mary (SWMBO) was the last host on my trip. My 3 weeks with Lyle and Mary in Escondido, CA (approx. 1 hour north of San Diego) has been totally wonderful. It started in John Wayne Airport in Orange County, CA. Lyle should pick me up at the TWA-counter but we didn't know how each other looked like. For some reason we didn't exchanged "personal looks" which would have been a good idea. However, I arrived from LAX and I checked in with TWA and asked for Lyle. TWA told me that Lyle had been there a few moments ago, so he was just around. Well, I was patient and sat down on my bags to wait. I starred around on all the people walking around inside the airport and kind of sorted them - some looked ok as host and some really didn't. Lyle was sitting on a bench 50 feet away but he was reading a magazine and I did actually expect him to look around, so I did not take him for what he was. Finally the TWA-representative went over to Lyle and she established the first contact between us. I can best describe my relationship with Lyle and Mary by telling how fast we got together. Already in the car home from the airport Lyle and I were chatting like if we had met before. When he had an idea of my personality he made a big list of alternatives to what I could do while at his house and I was very thrilled about his ability to figure out what *I* would like to do and see in California. The things I've done in southern California is many. Wild Animal Park, ride-along with the local police, Mexico, Las Vegas, boogie-boarding at a REAL pacific beach, jet-skiing, laying out by his pool, meeting with local BBS'ers, driving 4-wheeling in the desert, going to San Diego Padres baseball-games and seeing them win both times, seeing Blue Angels and a lot of neat stuff at N A S Miramar and I could continue from now to forever. I have also met a whole lot of people and I've made a very good friend in a 22 year old nephew of Lyle's named Stephen Gilmour. He's scottish so we had a lot of fun talking real football - what you Americans call soccer . Actually he taped the final in the European Championship in Soccer where Denmark was the winner. That was a great experience to see that game so far from home. California is so different from other parts of USA - as well as every other part is. Everybody knows that the climate is among the nicest in the whole world. Hot and NOT humid as in other places. The people is also very different - or should I say the way they live. I find a bigger freedom to believe in what ever YOU want to believe in. But I also find a lack of moralities bigger than other places. It is fun to hear and see how people from different places in USA think about other states and areas. Southern people (Georgia and that area) is very aware of their hospitality. They claim to be the most hospitable and say that others are not very friendly. New Yorkers say that others call them hostile but that it's a matter of getting used to NYC. Mid-eastern people don't really say anything. Western people kind of open the door to their house and expects you to help your self but they don't say so. It is hard to judge who's the friendliest and it's even harder to judge how southern, mid-eastern, NY'ers or western people really is since I've only lived with a few. That is not statistical correct. All I know is that EVERYBODY I'VE MET ON MY TRIP HAS BEEN WONDERFUL and that I haven't found anything else than hospitality and willingness to help. David and Alexandra Honigsberg in NYC started my trip by showing me around in NYC. In 5 days I saw a great deal of NYC and they also introduced me to some of their friends. I really enjoyed to go to the non-tourist sights and I still can't believe how much David and Alexandra knew about anything I asked about. I was so won'ed out that I couldn't believe I had more than 2 months ahead of me. I should very soon learn that to be won out is a very good sign of that you've experienced something new and exciting. Charlie, Linda and Tim Beekley in Frederick, MD was my second host. We got real close after the 3 weeks I spend with them. Frederick is only 45 miles from Washington DC so I also had a good chance to see this wonderful city. Beekley's accepted me as a part of their family and it worked out very well. It was a strange feeling to say goodbye and they took up a very special place in my heart - and still does. Catherine Dotson in Greenville, VA was my third host. Catherine lives with her two children in the country in very beautiful surroundings. My visit to Greenville was more a kind of practical vacation and I'll never forget my first time on a horseback. Catherine and her friends did really treat me well and I felt very comfortable in their company. The country is different but you kind of get close to a group of people and they always have a good story or another activity to challenge. I must not forget Rick Davis and his wife Michelle. Rick is active in GLOBAL and he was the link between me and Catherine. During the planning I sent messages to Catherine via RIME and Rick read them for her in the telephone. Rick and Michelle also showed me around in Virginia and of course Rick offered me to use his computer during my visit. My 4th host was the only host without any connection to RIME. A friend of mine had spend a year on a college in Georgia and met a lot of people there. Last year one of them was in Denmark and offered me the possibility to visit her if I ever should come to the states. The place I lived is called Buford and is approx. 1 hour north of Atlanta. Unfortunately they had a lot of work to do, so I spend a lot of time by myself. It didn't really bother me and I used it to be myself in a few moments. My most different experince there was a twisted ankle. I had the chance to see how an American hospital works out and I have no complaints at all. Everything was clean and everybody seemed very professional. It was kind of strange though - that I had to do a lot of paperwork and stuff before they would release me. I felt strange when I had the receipt for an X-ray'ing and examination of my foot. I'm used to pay that through my taxes so I was shocked about the price. Someone must get broke over here if something serious happens and they don't have an insurance. Next stop New Orleans - the big easy. During my planning I arranged to visit a RIME-user in New Orleans and everything was sat up with train- and plane tickets. Unfortunately - and disappointing too - I lost contact with him just weeks before I left Denmark. I sent him tons of messages but I never got a reply. I decided to visit New Orleans anyway but only for 4 days and I simply stretched my visit in Georgia to the latest possible concerning my 45 day trainpass. I stayed at a Travel Lodge motel and that was ok. I also rented a car so I could get around. It was a big spending of money but I didn't wanted to sit in my motel room in 4 days. I had a lot of good experiences in N.O. and being totally by myself was kind of challenging too. All I didn't do was to walk around in New Orleans after dark. Finally I took the plane from N.O. to California via St.Louis. The flight was moderate concerning excitement but I had a nice young lady sitting next to me, and she was easy to talk to. I managed to find my way from LAX to John Wayne Airport where I should meet Lyle Davis. And now I'm sitting here the last day of my trip and writing this little story. The weather is for one time sake not very good so I use the opportunity to write instead of getting more tan. I need to say that all my correspondance with my "oldies but goldies" back home in Denmark has been done via RIME. Most of the messages though has been routed and R/O since I've been writing in Danish. It has worked out very well and I've had a lot of good moments reading all the news from home. My dad, KNUD SILLESEN is used to computers and claims to know a lot about them (actually he does) but modeming via BBS's was totally new to him when I left Denmark. He has done very well and been able to solve a lot of trouble by himself and by asking my fellow BBS'ers on Danish Key Board BBS (DKBBBS). But most incredible of all - my mother got very fascinated by using BBS'ing and realized how fast the exchanging of messages takes place. She has done a lot of chitty chatty messages about all the local news and I bet I know more about my hometown than the people that has been staying there the whole summer. Thank you mom and dad! I love you! Since this is my last article in RIME Times about my trip I want to say thanks to every body involved in my little project. Of course my host deserves the biggest hug available. David & Alexandra Honigsberg, Charlie, Linda & Tim Beekley, Catherine, Matt & Abby Dotson, Rick Davis & Michelle and Lyle & Mary Davis. With out your OUTSTANDING hospitality and willingness to share your home with me this trip would have been impossible. THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH - I LOVE YOU! There is a lot of people who has encouraged me to realize this trip. The biggest encouragement you can get is to realize how interested other people are in your ideas. The guys at my home BBS (Danish Key Board BBS) deserves a huge thanks for helping me setting this whole thing up. Jens Hummelmose (SysOp), Kim Bach who helped me when my computer broke down in the middle of the planning and Henrik "Robin" Hammer, Johannes Frederiksen, Per Hedegaard, Bjarne Malmgren, Lars Bonnesen and the rest of the SUPERUSER-group (I know I forgot two) who supported me before and during my trip. A very special thanks to Curt Akin - the editor of RIME Times. Curt has meant a lot to me during my trip. Not alone has he helped and encouraged me in writing and publishing my articles. He is also Co-SysOp of MORE BBS in Rhode Island. MORE BBS has worked as my message-base during my trip and it has been a big advantage to stick to one BBS the most of my trip. I feel that you - Curt - has become another close friend and I want to thank you for helping me as much as you have done. It is unusual to meet guys like you. THANKS! Finally I want to say thanks to all the people who has had something to do with my trip somehow. Friends to my hosts, people who have debated with me in conferences I don't have access to in Denmark and of course the peoples who just have sent a message to say "hello, good luck and enjoy." I must say that my trip has been a HUGE experience - more than I've ever dreamed of. I know my way of travelling has it's dangers, both for traveller as well as for host, but as long as you're prepared for the worst possible you'll always manage to have a good time. I can look back now and say "It's over!". It's sad and as a well-known author once said "To travel is to live." But I'll always have all the wonderful memories that people gave me and they'll never disappear. It will never be totally over. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 4 - PLUNDERINGS By Brian Lee, Node ID ->MOONDOG =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Michael Dell's 1992 Federal Microcomputer Conference ("FedMicro'92") Keynote Address Reported by Brian Lee ->THEHUB A representative from the DC Convention Ctr/Fed Micro made announcements before introducing Michael Dell. The attendance was 55,000 this year; Fed Micro will expand to a 3 day conference next year with 30% more exhibitors. Upcoming computer-related conferences to be held at the DC Convention Ctr. are: Federal Imaging '92 on 9-10 Nov. Federal Computer Conference on 9-10 Dec. Michael Dell's Spotlight on Serving the Customer Michael Dell, the 27 yr old CEO of Dell Computers, presented the keynote address for the Federal Microcomputer Conference in Washington DC on 6 Aug 1992. An audience of approximately 800 filled the ballroom at the Hyatt Regency for his presentation. In contrast to his austere clothing, Dell interspersed a multimedia presentation through his straightforward talk. [*Emphasis* is Dell's.] Greater computing power can now be bought for similar costs in the past. For example, $2500 would buy a 386sx-20MHz system in July 1991. A year later it can buy a 486sx-33MHz system. Despite advances in technology, "endusers are not happy" with the current state of computing. Dell noted that industry has focused on technology that can be provided to the customer, rather than on customer needs. *Complexity* and incompatibility of the hardware and software make customers unhappy. Problems are created when companies try to lock customers into proprietary systems, for example, Micro-Channel architecture (IBM). *Standards* and open systems are wanted by customers. There are already too many operating systems and microprocessors to choose from. Customers have difficulty in selecting a system due to the complexity and "techno-nonsense" they are faced with in the marketplace. Senior managers are confused, especially since they did not grow up with computers. Translation of the technology to the customer level is needed. Managers must also keep current in the field by reading periodicals and attending trade shows. Promises of increased *productivity* from the use of computers are unfulfilled. Customers must be given tools that will specifically increase their productivity and the customers must be able to use those tools. Marketing emphasizes computers that are smaller, faster, better, and cheaper. However, "customers define the value of a deliverable" (product). The Federal computing environment is similar to that found in other large clients. Productivity is the #1 concern of Federal computer users, followed by avoidance of obsolescence, regulatory changes, and standards implications. 94% of Federal computer users want LANs. *Quality and price* are becoming more important than price alone among Federal purchasers. Computing should be designed to produce a better *human interface*. Industry must be responsive to the customer with *service and support.* The market should be consumer-based rather than technology driven. Q&A session with Dell: In what areas would you like to see standards created? Microprocessor system sets, operating system calls, and application compatibility. What are your views on a national voluntary certification program for service technicians? [I asked this question.] Dell would be in favor of industry-defined criteria standards with certification of minimum acceptable levels. Will flash memory or small hard disks be used more frequently in the future? Flash memory will be seen more often in portables/laptops. Dell expects a crossover in price between flash memory and hard disks in late 1993. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 5 - POSTLINK BASH By JACKIE JONES, Site ID ->SYLLABLES =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Although Bonnie's Bash is approximately two months past, the memories are still very much in the present. I'd like to share a memory or two with you. . . My personal memories began as Curt Akin and I set off in search of J. Thomas Howell. He was to join our entourage in the capacity of navigator, due to his claim that he knew the way to Bonnie Anthony's house. After a slight amount of confusion resulting from a communication error, we were able to find him at work, not at home, as we first attempted. All was well until we neared the wilds of Brooklyn. Why Brooklyn, you may ask. Well, as all people are aware, when one is on the Yellow Brick Road, the shortest route is not always the wisest. When journeying with the Scarecrow and the Tin Man, this Dorothy found the safest area to be slightly below the level of the back seat. The floor, to be exact. Especially when we crossed the Triboro Bridge. I'm afraid I draw a complete blank when it comes to a description of our crossing. I believe I was unconscious at the time, or perhaps in a state of shock. The last thing I remember clearly was a glimpse of Curt's knuckles, white with tension, tightly gripping the steering wheel. With gritted teeth, he listened to the encouragement pouring from the mouth of Thom Howell. Encouragement. Hmm mm. Perhaps it was more like inflammation. In any event, we arrived safe and sound at Bonnie's house somewhere in the area of midnight, though expected several hours earlier. We were greeted with great hospitality by Bonnie, Howard and Elaine Belasco, and Lou and Barbara Kairys. However, the rigors of our journey struck, and we wandered off to bed with glazed eyes. It was the first time I have ever spent the night on a psychiatrist's couch. I'm certain that my subconscious received a thorough, though undetected, workout. In the morning, I returned the couch to the awaiting patient, and joined the group for the pending festivities. People began to arrive around noon, although one SysOp spent the night in Bonnie's driveway, sleeping in his car. I'm including a list of 75 people who signed our sheet, but I believe the guests were more in the area of 125 to 150 people. They came and went with more agility than I was able to muster. Besides, I was too busy throwing the ball into the pool for Bonnie's lab pup. The weather was grand, though a tad cool for swimming. (The pup didn't think so.) The food was an unstoppable flow, covering everything from hot dogs to quiche. There was a wonderful, huge cake cut by Kip Compton in honor of Postlink, which was quickly devoured. It was an enjoyable opportunity for all of us to meet many of the people we have posted with in the past. One of the highlights of the day was the trip to Bonnie's computer in order to see Postlink in action for the first time. Several "tours" were arranged for this purpose, and all who were there received a short tutorial. In all, a very enjoyable, educational experience. Here's a partial list of the day's guests: Curt Akin Robin C. Greene Bruce Limber Lori Alpert Colin P. Grimes Tony McClenny Bonnie Anthony Don Gruenther Bill Mertens Peter Anthony Sunil Gupta Robert Miller Wally Babbitt Tom Hackett Rick Nakroshis Ed Bachmann Rose C. Hampton Marie & Mike Nugent Robert Bakley Bill Harding Jim O'Connor Howard & Elaine Belasco T.A. Hennessy John & Enid Palazzolo Andrew Bilski Mark Hennessy Charles Power John Bishop J. Thomas Howell Daniela Power Jean & John Bishop Rob Hudson Edward J. Presley Carol Carmichael Russell Huntington Randy Renner John Chambers Robert Jackson Rod Renner Lucia Chambers Ellie Jackson Mike Rivers Don Cheeks Laurie Jacobs Marion Royal Alan D. Combs Ken Jacobs Frank Scholone Kip Compton Dave Jones Alan Sislen Tony L. Cooper Jackie Jones Barry Davis, Sr. Jim Dirkes Barbara Kairys Bob Thompson Doug Ferrell Lou Kairys Alan Trachtenberg Ron Fitzherbert Kevin Kane Jim Wan Nancy Fleming Ron Kane Dan Wendling Ed Fleming Bryan Leaman Angi Wigle Missy Fleming Brian Lee Jeff Wigle Lana Fox Jerry Liddle Jim Young =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 6 - VIRUS TRIGGERING IN OCTOBER By J. Barrett, Node ID ->MORE =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= October Virus Alerts: Virus dates/common virus name Virus info Oct 1 - Dec 31 1554 .COM and .EXE growth, TSR. 1704 TSR, falling letters, .COM file growth, random reboots. 4096 .COM, .EXE and overlay growth, TSR, hides growth, corrupts data files. Cascade TSR, Falling letters, .COM file growth, random reboots. Cascade-B TSR, Falling letters, .COM file growth, random reboots. Oct 4 Violator (B1) .COM growth, "sector not found" error on drive B:, formats disk drives. Oct 12 Jerusalem (Anarkia B) TRS, .EXE and .COM growth, slowdown, deletes files on Friday 13th. Oct 13 - Dec 31 Datacrime .COM growth, floppy disk access, formats hard drive. Datacrime-B .EXE file growth, formats MFM/RLL hard drives, odd floppy disk access. Datacrime-II .EXE and .COM file growth, formats disks. Datacrime-IIB .EXE and .COM file growth, formats disks, floppy disk access October 23 Karin .COM file growth, message. Oct 31 Halloween .COM and .EXE growth, very slow program loading, runtime errors. Violator B2 .COM growth, "sector not found" error on drive B:, formats disk drives. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Seen in the conferences: From: OWEN HAWKINS Subj: TROJAN/VIRUS ALERT TO: All Sysops FROM: Owen Hawkins - Sysop - Space BBS, Menlo Park CA (415) 323-4193 (BBS) -6693 (voice 9-5) -6697 (Fax) Internet: owen.hawkins@spacebbs.com Virus Alert - User reported MMORE.COM corrupted his hard disk files by adding 4096 bytes to each .COM and .EXE file. Program purports to be a faster replacement for the dos MORE command using EMS or XMS for speed. However, in tests on a floppy only, typing 'MMORE' corrupted all normal, hidden, and read-only COM and EXE files including mmore.com itself. SCAN.EXE vers 8.7B95 does not find anything wrong with the INITIAL file, but does report finding virus [4096] after it has run. The following is the CRC value using PKUNZIP 1.1 : Searching ZIP: MMORE2.ZIP - Length Method Size Ratio Date Time CRC-32 Attr Name ------ ------ ----- ----- ---- ---- ------ ---- ---- 5120 Implode 3881 25% 03-27-92 15:25 ece995dc --w MMORE.COM ------ ------ --- ------- 5120 3881 25% 1 For those using FWKCS, do the follow: 1. Save the one line at the bottom to a file named XCSLIST.SRT 2. Run the command: FWKCS /t20u XCSLIST.SRT (from anywhere). ECE995DC 1400xMMORE.COM MMORE2.ZIP C:\TEST =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 7 - CONFERENCE NEWS By James Wall, Node ID ->DREAM =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= New Conferences: NAME: CERTIFIED NETWARE ENGINEER PROFESSIONAL ASSN (CNEPA) NUMBER: 392 DESCRIPTION: National meeting place for CNE's and CNE's to be. Topics covered are getting and keeping your certification, membership in the Professional Association, upcoming events and functions for CNEPA, and some of the very best advances in Novell information. (This conference is another compliment to existing NETWORKS AND NOVELL USERS conferences.) HOST: Rick Welshans, CNE Node ID ->WARPED NAME: IRELAND NUMBER: 393 DESCRIPTION: A Conference to provide a forum for all people with an interest in Ireland to be able to speak directly with bith those of us in Ireland and also tro each other. HOST: Barry Flanagan Node ID ->GALWAY #1660 NAME: TRUE CRIME NUMBER: 394 DESCRIPTION: To discuss aspects of true crimes: books, movies, television (such as America's Most Wanted, Unsolver Mysteries), news accounts. HOST: Kelly Keniston NOde ID ->OLDTOWN #223 NAME: BOLD ALARM /SECURITY NUMBER: 395 DESCRIPTION: This conference will be used for inter-action of the industry as a whole in regards to topics critical to the alarm industry. Although an occasional related topic may be asked of us in the conference, as a whole it is desired that our customers and non-customers can communicate openly about problems facing the security industry such as insurance, training, new equipment from manufacturers, hints with certain products etc. HOST: Steve Ryckman Node ID ->LRVVS #229 NAME: TRADEWARS NUMBER: 396 DESCRIPTION: To discuss the door gam TradeWars and provide help. HOST: Brian Marx Node ID ->HANDYNET #1366 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Host Changes: Bob Chapman Node PCPLACE is the new host of the "Great Outdoors" conference 193. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Conference name changes: The PCRELAY SUPPORT Conference 302 has been renamed PCRELAY/POSTLINK SUPPORT. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 8 - WHO'S WHO AND WHAT'S WHAT By Patrick Lee, Node ID ->RUNNINGB =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= The following is a list of "Who's Who" in RelayNet: Steering Committee: Bonnie Anthony RUNNINGA Rex Hankins IBMNET Howard Belasco RUNNINGB JThomas Howell MORE Mike Glenn PARTY Conference related: Rick Kingslan OMAHANET Marketing Coordinator (PR) Patrick Lee RUNNINGB Statistician James Wall DREAM Conference Manager AUTOSEND lists: Bonnie Anthony RUNNINGA Nodes listing (RIME.ZIP) James Wall DREAM Conference list (CONFLST.ZIP) James Wall DREAM Conference list (RIMECONF.ZIP) BBS software that currently has an UTI interface with Postlink Auntie MajorBBS Remote Access dBBS Maximus Searchlight EIS PCBoard/ProDoor Spitfire Executive Host QuickBBS TriBBS GAP RBBS UltraBBS GT Power Wildcat! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 9 - NOTICES =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= RIME TIMES is now dispatched to all Postlink nodes in the network. No AUTOSEND list is required. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- To make life easier for the staff, the following submittal guidelines are suggested: 1) To be included in the next month's newsletter, articles must be received by the 15th of the current month. 2) A routed, receiver-only (private) message in the COMMON conference is acceptable. Please route general material and queries to: Curt Akin Node ID ->MORE. Submittals to Jackie's Beanstalk should be sent to Jackie Jones Node ID ->SYLLABLES. 3) When submitting articles or sending other messages to the Staff of RIME Times, don't assume receipt until you've heard from the recipient. We will acknowledge your message, and if you don't hear within 3-4 days, resend it. Don't depend on return receipts. 4) Your name as used on RIME. 5) Your Node ID if you are a RIME SysOp or your "home" board ID if you are a RIME user. 6) Any special instructions. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notice: 1. RIME distribution files which used to be identified with MMYY in their file names are now identified YYMM. This change makes RIME files appear in date sequence in sorted listings. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- RIME TIMES is published monthly by the membership of RelayNet International Message Exchange as its official newsletter. Users and SysOps are encouraged to contribute. (c) Copyright 1992, The RelayNet International Message Exchange. Permission is hereby granted for unlimited distribution and duplication, provided such distribution and duplication are strictly for non-commercial purposes and that no alterations are made to any file contained in the distribution archive. All other rights reserved. RelayNet and RIME are registered trademarks. Postlink is Copyright 1992 by Kip Compton.