FIDO_UTIL - Fidonet Related SysOp Utils and Apps Discussion
Moderator - Gary Gilmore, 1:2410/400
Last updated: 01/01/2000

 1 - This echo is for technical discussions of all Fidonet-related utils
     across all operating system platforms.  Especially welcome are
     discussions regarding existing utilities that appear to have "Y2K"
     problems and suggestions of replacement programs or work-arounds.
     (Please... if you're going to claim a Y2K problem, be prepared to
     prove your claim!) All discussions shall be of a technical nature only.
     If your discussion begins to go past this, please use netmail or email
     to continue it.  Those with more experience are asked to offer help to
     those new to this topic.  Please, be patient with the newbies! :-)

     NOTE: This is NOT a "my software is better than your software"
     conference and such discussions/debates are not only silly, they are
     not welcome here.  Comparisons and intelligent discussions on different
     Fido utility software are welcome, and should rely on technical
     aspects/facts, and not personal opinions. Discussion of routine Fidonet
     info or policies should be discussed (argued?) elsewhere.

     English is the language of this echo.

 2 - Try to get along.  If someone posts something that gives you the urge
     to flame them, walk away from the keyboard and have a cool drink, not
     returning until that feeling passes.  If someone is being a PITA and
     flaming, let the moderator handle it, please!

 3 - This echo should be restricted to sysops (or soon to be sysops) only.
     However, "interested parties" are allowed to participate.

 4 - Please use your real name when posting here.  If you aren't sure,
     check your birth certificate.

 5 - Avoid creating unneeded traffic.  Here's a list of basic "No-no's":

  No: BBS ads, 'test' messages, "where are you from" chains, multiple
      tearlines, replies to off-topic messages, encrypted messages, PGP
      sigs, multiline sigs or taglines, playing moderator (unless you -are-
      the moderator), additional headers/footers in messages, hi-ASCII ASCII
      "artwork" (we really -don't- care to see it), uuencoded files, or
      huge amounts of over-quoting. <whew!>

      If a program (reader, tagline mgr, etc.) is adding a lot of extra
      junk to messages, please don't use it here.  (The moderator will
      decide what's "extra junk", and let you know.)
  
      Again, large/multiline signatures are -greatly- unwelcome, as well
      as listing every email account or FTN-type address you have.
      Leave it out, please.  One -short- line is an "acceptable" signature.

 6 - Please, limit quoting in your replies.  (If you're quoting more than
     a couple lines, you're probably quoting too much.)  Never quote tag/
     tear/origin lines.

 7 - "OS Bashing" is stupid, and not welcome here.  Don't do it.  Period.
     This also means, leave your cutesy "OS put-down" tag/origin lines
     out of this echo.  (Grow up, ok?)

 8 - Rules of Common Courtesy apply at -all- times.  If you want to argue
     with, or complain to someone, do it elsewhere.  Play nice!

 9 - File announcements are allowed by authors of utilities directly
     related to the topic of this echo.  You are also encouraged to help
     others find programs they may need.  When doing so, please include
     filenames, and what restrictions (if any) you have on file requests.
     In the case of files via HTTP or FTP, *try* to include the URL (and
     directory if needed) of the file as well.

10 - This echo may not be gated (in or out) to any other FTN-style network,
     or the internet, without without prior permission of the moderator.
     Authorized gates will be published in the ELIST*.* listing for this
     echo.

Changes will be made to this list as needed.  Your input is welcome via
netmail.  (Arguing about moderator decisions/rules is not welcome in the
echo... again, please use netmail.)

Thanks for using the FIDO_UTIL echo!

--gary,
  FIDO_UTIL moderator