🚀 go-pugleaf

Rainbow Echomail Digest                      OCT 19, 1989

In this issue:
   RAINBOW VIDEO-FOSSIL                 (2 messages)
   PIBTERM 3.2.5 (RAINBOW VE            (2 messages)
   COMPUSERVE DISCUSSIONS HE
   RE: RAINBOW USERS UNITE!!
   BURNING ICS
   RE: COMPUSERVE DISCUSSION
   RAINBOW USERS UNITED!!!
   RE: BURNING ICS
   RE: WANTED


  Articles posted to either INFO-DEC-MICRO or comp.sys.dec.micro are
currently gatewayed automatically to the Rainbow Echo on Fidonet; thus,
you do need not to take any special action to respond to articles in
these digests.

  Please send reports of problems or suggestions for improvement of this
digest to GTHEALL@PENNDRLS.UPENN.EDU (ARPA Internet).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date:      10-17-89
Subject:  RAINBOW VIDEO-FOSSIL
From:      MARK BUDA

In a message of <16 Oct 89 15:31:33>, Geoff Reed (1:343/3) writes:
>   I can use a bit of help... I recently switched to the latest version
> of the rainbow video-fossil, and I seem to have developed a problem...
> it works fine with Binkleyterm, but using msged on my point, I cannot
> see the area names, or the text I am typing.  I am also going to see if
> I can get any help on this from Jim Nutt (msged author) but I need to
> know if there is a newer Vfos_dec than 0.25

I use MSGED with the version of Vfos_dec befreo 0.25 without any problems
at all.  I know of other people who do the same.  I cannot wonder if something
is not set up correctly.

- mark


--- QM v1.00
* Origin: VAXCat; Merrimack, NH;Home of the Black VAXCat;(603)424-0923 (1:132/
------------------------------
Date:      10-18-89
Subject:  PIBTERM 3.2.5 (RAINBOW VE
From:      FRANK MALLORY

I have the file PIBRB.ZIP here, but I am not a PIBTERM user and have no idea
exactly what it consists of.  It contains about a dozen files including PIBTER
and eight files PIBTERM.000,...,PIBTERM.008.  Looked at PIBTERM.000 with SEDT
and found it was a binary file; whether encoded BASIC source code or an execut
overlay, I know not.  All these files are dated in May, 1986.


--- msged 1.99L MSC
* Origin: Silver Bullet - Silver Spring, Maryland - 301-622-2247 (1:109/123)
------------------------------
Date:      10-16-89 (23:10)
Subject:  COMPUSERVE DISCUSSIONS HE
From:      DAVID STRICKLER

In a message of < 9 Oct 89 15:24:38>, Bill Mayhew (1:101/1) writes:
BM>I wanted to go on record as saying I feel a _little_ uncomfortable with
BM>the CompuServe "traffic" I've been "generating" here.
BM>  I have no problem answering people's questions about CompuServe but I
BM>have a feeling there may be people out there in Fidoland that don't
BM>agree.  If that's the case, and a consensus exists, I will gladly shut
BM>up.  I am not in the business of marketing CompuServe.
BM>  Of course if that happens, that means the only availability of the
BM>answers to those questions will be on CIS itself, which is not always
BM>adequate.


For the record... I'm glad there's been some discussion about CIS.
Although I don't like paying for online services, CIS has many things to offer
Since many users of this conference don't know about CIS, the discussions
have surely been enlightening to be sure....

DWS

--- msged 1.99S ZTC
* Origin: Midnight DEC  (1:101/45)
------------------------------
Date:      10-16-89 (23:13)
Subject:  RE: RAINBOW USERS UNITE!!
From:      DAVID STRICKLER

In a message of <08 Oct 89 00:00:47>, Van Vanhorn (1:343/30) writes:
VV>Of course, the real question is not up to you and I.  I don't recall
VV>whether or not Stricks is the moderator of this echo, or if I am
VV>confusing the three DEC echoes in my mind, but the moderator has sole
VV>discretion on this one.  It doesn't sound like Bill Mayhew has the
VV>authority to negotiate for CIS, and neither you nor I do on the FIDO
VV>side.  The moderator has absolute authority over echo routing, and that
VV>would include any gates to other systems or networks.  Maybe we'll hear
VV>from him in the next few days.
VV>


OK, OK... I am the moderator, and I *DO* approve of *ALL* links so
long as users and sysops of this echo encur no extra costs because of the
link. This is to say that if a sysop wants to spend his money to link into
another source, that's fine, but the cost should be their's - not other users
or sysops.

Hope that help clarify things...

--- msged 1.99S ZTC
* Origin: Midnight DEC  (1:101/45)
------------------------------
Date:      10-16-89 (23:18)
Subject:  BURNING ICS
From:      DAVID STRICKLER

In a message of <07 Oct 89 18:16:21>, Tony Bustos (1:102/138) writes:
TB>As for DEC, I'm sure it could be fixed - for (clearing throat) a
TB>reasonable fee. I picked up a DF03 for $50 (the case looks nice) that
TB>operates fine at 300 baud, but no go at 1200. I called DEC repair &
TB>asked the young lady there if it would be worth repairing. She assured
TB>me that it was and put me on hold while she looked up the rates. When
TB>she returned she said it could be one of two things wrong. One of the
TB>two boards would have to be replaced, but she didn't know which.
TB>Whichever the problem, she said it would cost either $550 or $650. I
TB>forget if that was with or without labor. When I stopped laughing, I
TB>told her about my Courier 2400 I had just bought new for $350.

Try pushing in the HS button on the DF03. If you really need it repaired,
but another for $50 (common price these days).

TB>
TB>She said perhaps I should go buy another...
TB>

I often wonder if those DEC ppl really know what the open market
holds. Ignorance is one thing, but I would be embarassed to quote prices like
that... But then again, DEC has never been shy about their prices!

--- msged 1.99S ZTC
* Origin: Midnight DEC  (1:101/45)
------------------------------
Date:      10-16-89 (23:31)
Subject:  RE: COMPUSERVE DISCUSSION
From:      DAVID STRICKLER

In a message of <10 Oct 89 22:55:27>, Van Vanhorn (1:343/30) writes:
VV>On the FIDOnet side, we are proud of what we have built as well.  We
VV>offer a service at a good price, lots of information and generally very
VV>reliable.  From time to time, one echo or another gets messed up, but
VV>normally not for long.  Nodes come and nodes go, but that is the nature
VV>of a volunteer organization.


That's the most honest assesment of FidoNet I have heard in years.
I know you were comparing it to CIS, but I just had to comment on your 'well-b
opinion. Thanks for understanding that this is a 'volenteer organization'!

DWS

--- msged 1.99S ZTC
* Origin: Midnight DEC  (1:101/45)
------------------------------
Date:      10-16-89 (23:35)
Subject:  RAINBOW USERS UNITED!!!
From:      DAVID STRICKLER

In a message of <13 Oct 89 10:04:00>, GEORGE THEALL (1:273/203) writes:
GT>messages from here to IDM/csdm, though I'm now thinking about creating
GT>a
GT>digest both to cut down on the number of messages posted daily, to
GT>minimize my work, and to make it clearer to the people on IDM/csdm that
GT>the messages are not from me directly. (Several people have emailed me
GT>directly asking that I send them the graphics programs from Dover
GT>Graphics, for example.) Any suggestions for minimizing the problem wrt
GT>messages gatewayed to this echo?
GT>

A program would be the smartest idea, but I'm not sure exact;y who
would write it, or how it would work. I log onto CIS about twice a year...

--- msged 1.99S ZTC
* Origin: Midnight DEC  (1:101/45)
------------------------------
Date:      10-17-89 (15:11)
Subject:  RE: BURNING ICS
From:      BILL MAYHEW

> I often wonder if those DEC ppl know what the open market holds.

Almost certainly, in the case at hand and most others, they don't.  The
people you *speak* with when you call DEC typically have no interest in
outside prices; they simply come in at 8:30, put in their hours, and leave
at 5pm, doing their job (hopefully) well... but most of them (at _this_
level of employee) have no interest in the DEC-related "open
market".
The real problem of course occurs at the level where prices are set,
but they too are largely insulated.  They view their competition as IBM,
not as Moe's Modem Repair or ModemCity.
All that said, there is also some truth in the fact that the DF03, being
old technology, is inherently relatively expensive to repair compared to
today's products.  Heck, take your average 5-year-old midsize car (and DF03s
are actually more like 10 years old!), break it in a serious way (e.g. an
accident) and I guarantee you'll find that it costs more to repair it than
it does to buy a new Hyundai!  The same is also
true for some types of mechanical failure...
but the analogy breaks down because cars are still (mostly) repaired
at the component part level, whereas electronics are repaired at the board
level.  That's because the cost of the technicians to the repair companies
for an average repair is higher than the cost of the product being repaired.
To the small user that has more time than money, this is unpleasant...
but a fact of life.
[Now how did that soapbox get under my feet?]
-Bill

--- ConfMail V4.00
* Origin: Still Servicing the Rainbow - Maybee Forever (1:101/1)
------------------------------
Date:      10-16-89
Subject:  RAINBOW VIDEO-FOSSIL
From:      GEOFF REED

GR>   I can use a bit of help... I recently switched to the latest version
GR> of the rainbow video-fossil, and I seem to have developed a problem...
GR> it works fine with Binkleyterm, but using msged on my point, I cannot
GR> see the area names, or the text I am typing.  I am also going to see if
GR> I can get any help on this from Jim Nutt (msged author) but I need to
GR> know if there is a newer Vfos_dec than 0.25


Well, apparently there are a few mites in msged, but the video problem
was with the vfos_dec.  Unfortunatly.....

--- msged 1.99L MSC
* Origin: StarShip_Inconnu, Cruisin' the Stars  (1:343/3.1)
------------------------------
Date:      10-17-89 (10:10)
Subject:  RE: WANTED
From:      AMER NELSON

About your Rainbow requirements:
Puget Sound Computer -- 4033 Stone Way, North -- 632-6211 had an
ad in last Sunday's (Oct. 15) Seattle Times.  I had dealings with
the firm 4 years or so ago and they seemed knowledgeable and had
fair prices.
They advertised 256K 120ns drams for $4.95 (call for other chip
prices).  They may or may not have 150ns chips which are as fast
as you need for the Rainbow.
They also advertised a Seagate 40MB drive kit for $339.  I assume
it is the ST-251 which DEC sells as an RD32.  You should be able to
knock a bit off the $339 price since you won't need their cable or
controller.  You will need a DEC contoller, HD cable and skid plate.
One caveat -- most people who buy from DEC get HDs without ANY bad
sectors.  I don't think the same can be said for generic Seagate
drives sold by discounters and computer shops.  (I know my 20 MEG
drive purchased through DECUS had no bad sectors and has, as yet,
not developed any -- or so Norton Utilities says.)
You could call International Materials Exchange -- 617-497-2290 --
to see if they still have any Data General color monitors which they
advertised as VR241 clones made by Hitachi.  I bought one over 2
years ago and it works fine.  You only get 640 by 240 pixels on your
display, but at $199 that's still pretty good.  The trouble is that
they had them soooo long ago -- I don't even know if the place is
still in business.  Several d:BUG members have made their own custom
cable which is required to attach the monitor to a Rainbow.
Newman Computer Exchange -- 313-994-3200 -- has Rainbow Graphics
Options for $75 per their latest catalog.  I've purchased two used
graphics boards from Newman and both have worked flawlessly.
++ Amer ++  (P.S. -- HOW MUCH FOR THE A/B BOX)


---
* Origin: Glacier Peak Rainbow, Bellevue, WA - 206/644-8431 (Opus 1:343/3)
------------------------------
Date:      10-17-89 (21:00)
Subject:  PIBTERM 3.2.5 (RAINBOW VE
From:      DOUG MURRAY

Going through my pile of disks, I came across Pibterm 3.2.5.  I really like
the package, I found it just in time for a project that I had to do with
the Rainbow and some electronic mail service.

Well to get on with it, the point of this message is that the documentation
indicated that the source for Pibterm should be distributed with the executabl
So here is the question... Does anyone have the sources to Pibterm(most
recent version for the 'bow) available for File Request?

Essentially what I want to attempt, is to change the character translation
module to allow 3 to 1 char translates.  I would appreciate either the sources

Thanks,

Doug!


---
* Origin: R&D BBS 'The VAX Heaven' {819/778-3856} 9600 =HST= (Opus 1:163/226)
------------------------------