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                    HOW TO JOIN THE FNCF.
 
1.) Getting an account.
 
          Call the Cleveland Freenet at 216-368-3888
and while on line apply for your account. Answer all
questions and follow the instructions, you will have
to mail in a signed statement so read carefully.
   Once you have an account on the Freenet you can
forward your mail to your address and will no longer
require you to call long distance. Just go to the FN
Post Office  area and forward choose forwarding your
mail.
  This procedure will allow you a direct link to the
Cleveland Freenet System. It is well worth the small
effort you will be required to preform. All services
are free of course and the system has much to offer.
 
2.) Accounts other than Freenet.
 
    Many users send mail via a usernet of some type.
Most likely you can contact anyone, anywhere  within
our membership as long as  you  have  their  correct
email-address.  We will provide that address when you
are given a game assignment.  As long as you have no
troubles sending  and receiving  mail for your games
there is no need  or hurry  in getting a Freenet ID.
However we suggest you take  the time to apply so if
problems do develop in the future you have the means
to forward mail.
 
3.) Viewing our boards.
 
  The Cleveland Chess Sig maintains a complete player
history  for each of its members. Your results,rating
and assignments  are  posted on our boards within the
Cleveland Freenet System  at the Cleveland Chess Sig.
(Go Chess, when on line).  The Sig  consists  of  the
following boards.
 
   1.  About the Cleveland Chess Sig
   2.  The Rules-Playing Freenet Chess
   3.  News, Tournaments and Events
   4.  Game Assignments
   5.  The Results Board
   6.  The Rating Board
   7.  Game of the Week
   8.  Problem of the Week
   9.  Chess Sig Forum (Bulletin Board)
  10.  FN Chess Federation Connection (proposed)
 
  The CFN can be accessed on the usernets in some areas.
Our boards are visible to many users internationally if
you can get to these  files via  your source.  You will
have to do some exploring to verify this. Check your
links from the source  you use  to connect, look for
a file named "freenet."  It should  be located among
a group which  allows you access to  such systems as
Bionet,Gnuchess,Fidonet,USA etc. If not, try accessing
via other  areas. Again you may have to explore a bit.
Either case let us know how you reached our board area
from your area.
 
 
 
4.) Playing FN Chess.
 
   Playing  chess as a member of the FNCF is not only
free,  but  rewarding.  Computers have allowed us the
pleasure of sending mail electronically, thus speeding
up play. Your participation allows you to compare your
playing abilities to other  members  worldwide. Every
result is rated and maintain by the  Cleveland Office
to give you a detailed report of your achievements. A
Master Rating Listing  is posted  monthly listing all
members records.
  You can review games others have played. Discuss chess
on the  bulletin board  (Forum).  Solve  chess problems,
view your assignments and results of all events.
   We will on request send a Rating List to your email
address on request if you can not view it  else where.
  Opponents, you need opponents, where else  is better
than through an organized club like FNCF.  Let us take
the hassle of getting you opponents, be part of a email
chess  playing  organization worldwide.  Get  to play a
large variety of players world over.
 
 
5.) How the FNCF grew.
 
    Freenet is a new concept in free public accessible
information and service. Like a vast public library on
line. Lets face it the world needs more communications.
Imagine  worldwide communication among the citizens of
earth 10,20,30 years ago. Boy were we shut out. Not so
today and less so tomorrow, its only going to get better.
     When Freenet first went on line in Cleveland, many
special  interest  groups  were formed.  The Chess Sig,
in  Cleveland became the first to  venture  into e-mail
recreational  activities  on the system.  The Sig grew
out of a on-line local club calling itself "Chessnet."
  Chessnet should not be confused with any other group
of the same  name.  This was a  small local  group in
Cleveland. The  popularity of playing email chess grew
so rapidly it soon  developed into the Cleveland Chess
Sig.
  When Youngstown, Ohio went up with their Freenet the
two Chess Sig joined  together to form a federation of
chess sigs. The FNCF  was borne.  Today the FNCF is
confederation of independent chess sigs and members
worldwide. For the most part the FNCF helps promote
the growth of  additional chess sigs  or clubs from
other systems. Now we are venturing into actual email
play for any person interested in playing chess as a
member of FNCF.
 
 
6.) Pioneering the Paths.
 
   The Cleveland Chess Sig from its beginnings as a
small " on-line"  group (Chessnet) of chess players
maintains its  fundamental  purpose, to promote the
growth of chess in America and  free communications.
   Today we widen our sites on the  world.  Why not
bring  in  members  from all  over the globe. Unite
small computer  chess clubs and  local clubs into a
federation of independent sigs.
   The FNCF therefor welcomes all email chess clubs
and chess players  to join us in  networking a vast
international  chess  playing  community.  Join our
efforts by  participating  in this  pioneer  spirit
as we blaze new trails to a brighter future.
  Since 1986 we been playing organized email chess.
Today we reach across the world, offering  the same
to all. Participate with us and  enjoy a  new world
of chess playing experience.
 
7.) How to Organize a Club in your area.
 
     We will assist you in organizing a local email
chess club. If you have access to a telecommunication
network you  can consider forming a small group. We
suggest a starting membership of six players.
  Your mission of course is to grow. Someday a freenet
system will be coming to your community, you can now
prepare to go on line as a new chess sig. Even if you
never get  a  freenet  in your area you still can be
part of the Federation.  If you can  communicate via
a system you can maintain a club.
  Freenet Chess is a voluntary public service provided
by players for the purpose of playing chess and helping
promote its grow. If you organize a  club we recommend
your club name contain a reference  to a computer type
of communication, like SIG,Network, and of course chess.
Sample club:
 
 
 
               The Cleveland Chess SIG
                 MEM: FNCF 1986
                 EMAIL: xx011@cleveland.freenet.edu
                        aa214@cleveland.freenet.edu
 
 
 
               The Brooklyn Chess BBS
               Member: FNCF 1992
               Email: (Your email address)
 
               The KANSAS CHESS SIG
               MEM: FNCF 1991
               EMAIL: (Your email address)
 
 
               The MILWAUCHESS LINK CLUB
                 MEM: FNCF 1989
                 EMAIL: (Club email address)
 
               The Youngstown Chess SIG
               MEM: FNCF 1987
               EMAIL: aa359@youngstown.freenet.edu
 
 
 
     This should give you an idea of what were looking
for.  As a member of FNCF your club acts independently
making assignments, maintaining  results and  a rating
list. You can forward your rating list to the FNCF for
posting on the main system if you desire. If your club
intends to play nationally or internationally  we then
suggest sending in the membership list with their email
addresses so we can furnish  assignments.  We will then
forward you a rating list monthly of your membership.
  If you have access to a system which allows postings
such as  gnuchess, then you  may consider posting your
listing  there.  We can provide the rating program if
needed.
  If you are an independent  player we recommend that
you deal direct with either the  Cleveland,Youngstown
or Cinchess (Cincinnati) Sigs.
   For general information there is a Freenet at Peoria
Illinois and also Medina,Ohio,  which at this time have
no Chess Sigs  operating. There  is  also  reports of a
possible  Freenet  going  up in  Chicago.   Interested
parties  should contact  those systems for proposing a
Chess Sig to run on their systems.
   We hope this article  has given you a picture of the
general scope of the FNCF.  Again if you are interested
in playing e-mail chess or  helping  to organize a club
affiliate to the FNCF or have questions  please contact
us at :
 
        aa214@cleveland.freenet.edu
   or   xx011@cleveland.freenet.edu
 
     We will be there to help answer your questions
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