Articles

HMS PeenaFour
Steve Fredette, 1:163/551

I wrote this a little while back as part of my campaign in the region 12 election. I had originally planned to submit it to fidonews then, but it slipped my mind.

HMS PeenaFour

(Apologies to Gilbert & Sullivan)

Steve:

I am the very model of a fido RC clerical,
I've information technical and social and political,
I've memorized the nodelist flags, I quote P4 (but cynical),
From Intro to Case Histories, in order categorical;
I'm very well acquainted, too, with matters protocolical,
I understand the data link, both physical and logical,
I know precicely what is meant by Yoohoo, Janus and Wazoo,
My mailer handshakes easily with Opus, Frontdoor, Binkley too.

All:

His mailer handshakes easily, etc.

Steve:

I'm very good at tinkering with interrupts and data bus,
I'll fix the problems y2k that will inflame and pester us,
In short, in matters technical and social and political,
I am the very model of a fido RC clerical.

ALL:

In short, in matters technical and social and political,
He is the very model of a fido RC clerical.

Steve:

I know our region's history, from Ennis to Cliff Morrison,
I have copies of all the notes from secretive Z1REGCON,
I quote in elegiacs all the crimes of Ricky Johnston, but,
I've had enough of flaming from that nonsensical Hillis nut.
I castigate my fido foes, delight in driving them berserk,
I've spent long hours finding ways of pissing off that Satti jerk,
But fools no longer bother me, I have the capability,
My filter has no problem nuking all the drivel from RanD.

All:

His filter has no problem, etc.

Steve:

Then I can write a parody and mail it to fidonews,
And tell you ev'ry detail of things and persons that amuse,
In short, in matters technical and social and political,
I am the very model of a fido RC clerical.

ALL:

In short, in matters technical and social and political,
He is the very model of a fido RC clerical.

I spent perhaps 20 hours writing that damn thing, grepping through dictionaries and policy4 and even the ftsc docs looking for rhyming words. And when I was done I found that my neural pathways were completely rearranged, and I could think of nothing else. I followed up a few days later with:

The major problem with a silly Major General parody,
Is the extent to which the song invades my mental faculty,
Now everything I think about and all my writings amateur,
Are always rhyming couplets in a quick hexadecameter.

...Steve

Spooky Anagrams
Thanks to Larry James
<larryj@europa.com

This is really spooky.....

An anagram, as you all know, is a word or phrase made by or rearranging the letters of another word or phrase. The following are exceptionally clever.

Someone out there either has way too much time to waste or is deadly at Scrabble.

Word                     When you rearrange
                           the letters

Dormitory                Dirty Room
Desperation              A Rope Ends It
The Morse Code           Here come Dots
Slot Machines            Cash Lost in 'em
Animosity                Is No Amity
Mother-in-law            Woman Hitler
Snooze Alarms            Alas! No More Z's
Alec Guinness            Genuine Class
Semolina                 Is No Meal
The Public Art Galleries Large Picture Halls, I Bet
A Decimal Point          I'm a Dot in Place
The Earthquakes          That Queer Shake
Eleven plus two          Twelve plus one
Contradiction            Accord not in it
Astronomer               Moon Starer
Princess Diana           End Is A Car Spin

AND HERE IS THE MOST INTRIGUING PART

Year Two Thousand        A Year To Shut Down

ITU-T Standards/Recommendation
V Series
Thanks to David Hallford, 1:208/0

Series V - Data communication over the telephone network - General

V.1 Version 11/1988: Equivalence between binary notation symbols and the significant conditions of a two-condition code
V.2 Version 11/1988: Power levels for data transmission over telephone lines
V.3 None
V.4 Version 11/1988: General structure of signals of international alphabet No. 5 code for character oriented data transmission over public telephone networks
V.5 None
V.6 None
V.7 Version 11/1988: Definitions of terms concerning data communication over the telephone network
V.8 Version 2/1998: Procedures for starting sessions of data transmission over the public switched telephone network
V.9 None

Series V - Data communication over the telephone network
Interfaces and voiceband modems

V.10 Version 3/1993: Electrical characteristics for unbalanced double-current interchange circuits operating at data signalling rates nominally up to 100 kbit/s
This Recommendation is also included but not published in X series under alias number X.26
V.11 Version 10/1996: Electrical characteristics for balanced double-current interchange circuits operating at data signalling rates up to 10 Mbit/s
This Recommendation is also included but not published in X series under alias number X.27
V.12 Version 8/1995: Electrical characteristics for balanced double-current interchange circuits for interfaces with data signalling rates up to 52 Mbit/s
V.13 Version 3/1993: Simulated carrier control
V.14 Version 3/1993: Transmission of start-stop characters over synchronous bearer channels
V.15 Version 11/1988: Use of acoustic coupling for data transmission
V.16 Version 11/1988: Medical analogue data transmission modems
V.17 Version 2/1991: A 2-wire modem for facsimile applications with rates up to 14 400 bit/s
V.18 Version 2/1998: Operational and interworking requirements for DCEs operating in the text telephone mode
V.19 Version 11/1988: Modems for parallel data transmission using telephone signalling frequencies
V.20 None
V.21 Version 11/1988: 300 bits per second duplex modem standardized for use in the general switched telephone network
V.22 Version 11/1988: 1200 bits per second duplex modem standardized for use in the general switched telephone network and on point-to-point 2-wire leased telephone-type circuits
V.22 bis Version 11/1988: 2400 bits per second duplex modem using the frequency division technique standardized for use on the general switched telephone network and on point-to-point 2-wire leased telephone-type circuits
V.23 Version 11/1988: 600/1200-baud modem standardized for use in the general switched telephone network
V.24 Version 10/1996: List of definitions for interchange circuits between data terminal equipment (DTE) and data circuit-terminating equipment (DCE)
V.25 Version 10/1996: Automatic answering equipment and general procedures for automatic calling equipment on the general switched telephone network including procedures for disabling of echo control devices for both manually and automatically established calls
V.25 bis Version 10/1996: Synchronous and asynchronous automatic dialling procedures on switched networks
V.26 Version 11/1988: 2400 bits per second modem standardized for use on 4-wire leased telephone-type circuits
V.26 bis Version 11/1988: 2400/1200 bits per second modem standardized for use in the general switched telephone network
V.26 ter Version 11/1988: 2400 bits per second duplex modem using the echo cancellation technique standardized for use on the general switched telephone network and on point-to-point 2-wire leased telephone-type circuits
V.27 Version 11/1988: 4800 bits per second modem with manual equalizer standardized for use on leased telephone-type circuits
V.27 bis Version 11/1988: 4800/2400 bits per second modem with automatic equalizer standardized for use on leased telephone-type circuits
V.27 ter Version 11/1988: 4800/2400 bits per second modem standardized for use in the general switched telephone network
V.28 Version 3/1993: Electrical characteristics for unbalanced double-current interchange circuits
V.29 Version 11/1988: 9600 bits per second modem standardized for use on point-to-point 4-wire leased telephone-type circuits
V.30 None
V.31 Version 11/1988: Electrical characteristics for single-current interchange circuits controlled by contact closure
V.31 bis Version 11/1988: Electrical characteristics for single-current interchange circuits using optocouplers
V.32 Version 3/1993: A family of 2-wire, duplex modems operating at data signalling rates of up to 9600 bit/s for use on the general switched telephone network and on leased telephone-type circuits
V.32 bis Version 2/1991: A duplex modem operating at data signalling rates of up to 14 400 bit/s for use on the general switched telephone network and on leased point-to-point 2-wire telephone-type circuits
V.33 Version 11/1988: 14 400 bits per second modem standardized for use on point-to-point 4-wire leased telephone-type circuits
V.34 Version 2/1998: A modem operating at data signalling rates of up to 33 600 bit/s for use on the general switched telephone network and on leased point-to-point 2-wire telephone-type circuits

Series V - Data communication over the telephone network Wideband modems

V.36 Version 11/1988: Modems for synchronous data transmission using 60-108 kHz group band circuits
V.37 Version 11/1988: Synchronous data transmission at a data signalling rate higher than 72 kbit/s using 60-108 kHz group band circuits
V.38 Version 10/1996: A 48/56/64 kbit/s data circuit-terminating equipment standardized for use on digital point-to-point leased circuits
V.39 None

Series V - Data communication over the telephone network Error control

V.41 Version 11/1988: Code-independent error-control system
V.42 Version 10/1996: Error-correcting procedures for DCEs using asynchronous-to-synchronous conversion
V.42 bis Version 1/1990: Data compression procedures for data circuit- terminating equipment (DCE) using error correction procedures
V.43 Version 2/1998: Data flow control
V.44 thru V.49 None

Series V - Data communication over the telephone network Transmission quality and maintenance

V.50 Version 11/1988: Standard limits for transmission quality of data transmission
V.51 None See M.729
V.52 None
V.53 Version 11/1988: Limits for the maintenance of telephone-type circuits used for data transmission
V.54 Version 11/1988: Loop test devices for modems
V.55 None See O.71
V.56 Version 11/1988: Comparative tests of modems for use over telephone-type circuits
V.56 bis Version 8/1995: Network transmission model for evaluating modem performance over 2-wire voice grade connections
V.56 ter Version 8/1996: Test procedure for evaluation of 2-wire 4 kHz voiceband duplex modems
This Recommendation includes 2 diskettes containing the data files used for the throughput tests
V.57 None
V.58 Version 9/1994: Management information model for V-Series DCEs
V.59 None

Series V - Data communication over the telephone network
Simultaneous transmission of data and other signals

V.60 None
V.61 Version 8/1996: A simultaneous voice plus data modem, operating at a voice plus data signalling rate of 4800 bit/s, with optional automatic switching to data-only signalling rates of up to 14400 bit/s, for use on the General Switched Telephone Network and on leased point-to- point 2-wire telephone type circuits
V.62 thru V.69 None
V.70 Version 8/1996: Procedures for the simultaneous transmission of data and digitally encoded voice signals over the GSTN, or over a 2-wire leased point-to-point telephone type circuits
V.71 thru V.74 None
V.75 Rec Version 8/1996: DSVD terminal control procedures Session establishment using V.75/H.245 procedures
V.76 Rec Version 8/1996: Generic multiplexer using V.42 LAPM-based procedures
V.77 thru V.79 None
V.80 Version 8/1996: In-band DCE control and synchronous data modes for asynchronous DTE
V.81 Thru V.89 None
V.90 Version 9/1998: A digital modem and analogue modem pair for use on the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) at data signalling rates of up to 56000 bit/s downstream and up to 33 600 bit/s upstream
V.91 thru V100 None

Series V - Data communication over the telephone network
Control procedures

V.250 Version 2/1998: Serial asynchronous automatic dialling and control Published as V.25 ter (07/97), renumbered in february 98 without being republished
V.251 Version 2/1998: Procedure for DTE-controlled call negotiation Published as Annex A to V.25 ter (07/97), renumbered in february 98 without being republished
V.252 Version 2/1998: Procedure for control of V.70 and H.324 terminals by a DTE

Series M - TMN and network maintenance: international transmission systems, telephone circuits, telegraphy, facsimile and leased circuits International telephone circuits

M.729 Version 11/1988 (V.51): Organization of the maintenance of international public switched telephone circuits used for data transmission This Recommendation is also included but not published in V series under alias number V.51

Series O - Specifications of measuring equipment
Equipment for the measurement of analogue parameters

O.71 Version 11/1988 (V.55): Impulsive noise measuring equipment for telephone-type circuits This Recommendation is also included but not published in V series under alias number V.55 and in H series under alias number H.13

North American Backbone Echo Changes [Sep-Oct]
by Lisa Gronke, 1:105/9
lisa@psg.com

Summary of NAB echo changes during Sep & Oct.

Brought to you courtesy of (unix) diff.

diff backbone.na 05-Sep-99 backbone.na 07-Nov-88 [edited].

Echotag name change

Note: UNUSUAL_PETS (added in Jul-Aug) is the new echotag for CHAMELEON (shown removed below)

Added to the NAB list of echos

> BIKE-N-RIDER Motorcycle Riders, Bike Safety and Riding
> ECHORESCUE Echo Tag Rescue Echo
> ELYSIUM Elysium Software
> ITALIANO Italians do it better
> LINUX-USER Linux user
> OFFICE_SUPPORT Microsoft Office Discussion and Support
> PORTUGUES Porugues
> QUEEN_FOR_A_DAY Lets you play queen for the day
> SHAKESPEARE Discussion about William Shakespeare
> THINKPRO Think Productions Software Group
> THOM-TOM Is Thom also Tom Discussion Conference!

Removed from the NAB list of echos

< 4MODSONLY For Moderator's ONLY Echo!
< CFS Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
< CHAMELEON EXOTIC ANIMAL OWNERSHIP AND DISCUSSION
< CIVIL_WAR Civil War History Echo
< COMIC_RELIEF G-rated On-line Stand-up Comedy Shtick
< IFTP_SUPPORT iFTP Support
< MILLENNIUM Windows MILLENNIUM software Echo!
< SCUBA Scuba Diving
< SUPER-BASTARD Super Bastards Echo
< TWIT Twit's Echo!
< Z1-ELECTION Alternate Z1C Election discussion area

o There are 751 echos in backbone.na [07-Nov-99] (unchanged)

Z1 Backbone Echo Changes [Sep-Oct]
by Lisa Gronke, 1:105/9
lisa@psg.com

Summary of Z1B echo changes during Sep & Oct.

Brought to you courtesy of (unix) diff.

diff backbone.z1b 05-Sep-99 backbone.z1b 07-Sep-99 [edited].

Echotag name change

> UNUSUAL_PETS Unusual Pets Echo! [new echotag name]
< CHAMELEON EXOTIC ANIMAL OWNERSHIP [old echotag name]

Added to the Z1B list of echos

> EDGE_ONLINE End Times - Mystery Babylon and the Beast 666
> HARDWARE Computer Hardware & Peripherals
> ITALIANO Italians do it better
> LINUX-USER Linux user
> MOTOR_SPORTS_RESULTS Various Motor Sports Results!
> OFFICE_SUPPORT Microsoft Office Discussion and Support
> PORTUGUES Portuguese Language Chat Echo
> QUEEN_FOR_A_DAY Lets you play queen for the day
> THOM-TOM Is Thom also Tom Discussion Conference!
> TRANSCAN TransCanadian Soapbox echo

Removed from the Z1B list of echos

< 4MODSONLY For Moderator's ONLY Echo!
< BLINDTLK Blindness-related topics and discussions
< C&C Command & Conquer echo
< CFS Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
< CIVIL_WAR Civil War History Echo
< COMIC_RELIEF G-rated On-line Stand-up Comedy Shtick
< DND D&D and Fantasy Role-Playing conference.
< F_I_D_O_E_R_R_O_R_S fIDO ERRORS
< FIDOGEN Fidonet Genealogy Sysop Discussions Echo
< GAF.CHAT German-American Friendship Networks Chat Echo
< HOMESCHL Homeschooling support echo
< IFTP_SUPPORT iFTP Support
< INK Desktop Publishing & Word Processing Support
< INTERGREEK Int'l Greek Conference (English language)
< LAW_&_ORDER Law Enforcement Issues
< MACSYSOP Macintosh Sysop's Conference
< MALUM_PROHIBITUM Malum prohibitum discussions
< MEDIEVAL Medieval studies, re-creation, arts, etc.
< MICHIGAN GENERAL CHAT FOR MICHIGAN
< MILLENNIUM Windows MILLENNIUM software Echo!
< MS_WORD Microsoft Word Users Support Conference
< NCSSA Nat'l Coalition of Sysops and Systems Admins
< NEWAGE_THOUGHT New Age Thought and Discussion
< NORTH_CAROLINA GENERAL CHAT FOR NORTH CAROLINA
< OPENDOORS OpenDoors Door Programming Toolkit Discussion
< PROWRITE Professional Writers' Conference
< PRO_LIFE Pro-Life Question and Answer Forum
< QUAKE Discussion of id Software's Quake
< ROOTS_MUSIC Roots of Music Discussion
< RTTY Amateur & Commercial Radio-Teletype Technology
< SCUBA Scuba Diving
< SPINAL_INJURY Spinal Cord Injury Topics
< SPIRITUAL Spirituality and World Peace
< STAMPS Stamp collecting discussion
< SUPER-BASTARD Super Bastards Echo
< TWIT Twit's Echo!
< VFIDO VADV/VBBS & VFIDO Technical Support
< ZCC_SUNSHINE Crosspost msgs from ZCC-closed-conference

o There are 630 echos in backbone.z1b [07-Oct-99] (down 28)