Ol' WDB's Column

Ol'WDB's Column
wdbonner@pacbell.net

Thanks to those who wrote me in response to my column. It is appreciated and warmly accepted, even those that think I may be "paranoid" about those that delight in back-biting. True, I don't like to see such EXCEPT with "tongue in cheek and a smiley". That takes the sting out of unnecessary rebuke and somewhat softens the rudeness.

Now to other things that may help you with a problem, or enhance your enjoyment of your BBS and the Internet. It has come to pass that the Internet is the free ride that replaces the long distance charges CRP used in past years to make up for. (CRP a minimum charge assessed each node for the import of echoes and files.) We seem to be in a quandary trying to adopt guidelines that pleases policy and works for everyone no matter h/h selection of methods of networking with other BBSes in Fidonet. I think the RCC is trying hard to resolve some of the most pressing problems from what I have been told. I hope they can agree on a list of necessities, and resolve them one by one in a timely manner. Perhaps some special committees may be useful in searching out the root situation solutions and presenting to the ZCC. Fido must grow with the technology or be left behind as was the old Commodore C-64 with its 300 baud modem. And perhaps the blend of the many ways to access Fidonet will gradually become easier for all new and future Fido-nodes. We need to make that come to be for our survival as a network and hobby.

Now a tip on a real good source of helpful information no matter what operating system you are using. Sign up by sending a note to: subscribe@komando.com, or at: http://www.komando.com/media/newsletter Every Saturday Kim delivers her timely and informative Newsletter absolutely FREE, and we NEVER sell our list of subscribers, so your e-mail address is safe with us! She is also on hundreds of radio sta.s on Saturdays, info in newsletter for your area. Many tips on setups and menu controls for all windows and other Op. Sys.

Holiday shopping is here! There are more and more purchases each year on the Ebay and other Internet stores, and more and more Scam artists putting up E-Stores to pick your pocket if you sucker into their deals that are ever so enticing. May help if you first check with: Consumer protection and advice for e-commerce and the Internet, check out the Federal Trade Commission online: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menu-internet.htm

Another tip on free software I received:
WARREN, Free Software now available to you from Sega, IBM, Disney,

Click here: http://www.freesoftwarepromotions.com/100012

All titles are full-version, CD-ROMs (not shareware or demos) that are currently sold in retail outlets for as much as $50 each.

No guarantees on my part, just passing the word along for some of you who may have lost favorite oldie/goody games and want to replace it/them for the holidays for the kiddies, or other working programs you use. The price is hard to beat!

Warm Regards,
Ol'wdb