
   ܰ          ܰ  
 ߰  ۰۰         ߰  ۰۰  
    ߰                ߰   
 ߰                           ߰
                          
                                      
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
AUGUST      RELAYNET INTERNATIONAL MESSAGE EXCHANGE NEWSLETTER         1992
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

ڿ  ڿ  Ŀ     Ŀ Ŀ ڿ Ŀ   Ŀ  See Article 5.  Cajole your SysOp
  Ŀ           Ŀ   Ŀ  (even if it's you) to fill it out
              and send it in!!!!
[NOTE:  There is no reader version of RIME Times this month to accomodate
the BBS Census material.]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Most recent count of RIME nodes - 1027 covering 72 states and countries
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                              RIME Times Staff
Editor.....................................................Curt Akin ->MORE
Editorial Associates:
        Copy Editor and Design Consultant.................J. Barrett ->MORE
        Security and Safe Computing.......................J. Barrett ->MORE
        Jackie's Beanstalk..............................Jackie Jones ->MORE
        ShareWare.....................................Patrick Grote ->SHRPT
        The Inner View..............................Inez Harrison ->MOONDOG
                             Editor of Poetry in Motion distributed by RIME
        Plunderings......................................Brian Lee ->THEHUB
        Who's Who....................................Patrick Lee ->RUNNINGB

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             Table of Contents
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Article#             Subject                       Author

        1      Frankly, Curt                          Curt Akin
                                                       Node ID ->MORE
        2      Jackie's Beanstalk                     Jackie Doty
                                                       Node ID ->MORE
        3      RIME's Infinite Possibilities          Morten Sillesen
                                                       Node ID ->DKBBBS
        4      The Inner View                         Inez Harrison
                                                       Node ID ->MOONDOG
        5      BBS CENSUS FORM

        6      Shareware Review                       Patrick Grote
                                                       Node ID ->SHRPT
        7      Virus Alerts                           J. Barrett
                                                       Node ID ->MORE
        8      Conference News                        James Wall
                                                       Node ID ->DREAM
        9      Who's Who and What's What              Patrick Lee
                                                       Node ID ->RUNNINGB
       10      Notices
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
1 - FRANKLY, CURT                          From your Editor, Node ID ->MORE
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

     The twilight sun is particularly quiet tonight, and the sights
particularly peaceful as we move between the hills of Pennsylvania toward
Indiana.  My lap is topped with a new computer which is singularly
responsible for eliminating yet one more excuse for not doing.  So far, I
have been able to resist a modem and cellular phone; so I am out of touch
with RIME for a few days; yes, messages will accumulate and seeing several
thousand to read will make me a tad crazy.  I've been there before; got
over it!

     The big rage these days seems to be bungee jumping, an activity I find
closely akin to jumping out of a perfectly good airplane to test the
aerodynamics of flailing arms and legs while certain physical constants
remain constant (gravity, for example).  At breakfast this morning, the
entire restaurant was alive with discussions of the newly added event at
the local fair -- a rather large and burley man announced that someone
would have to put a diaper on him before he would even think of trying it.
Neck snapping after falling several hundred feet isn't anywhere on my list
of have-to-do's.

     There is, however, one entertainment goody I'm eagerly awaiting to
appear in our fair country:  Velcro jumping.  Seems as if Australia has
started a rage of its own which is slowly migrating.  A room is equipped
with Velcro fuzzies on its walls and ceiling.  One rents a suit made of
Velcro hooks, climbs up on a trampoline kind of device and propels oneself
at high speed against a surface of choice.  It reminds me of the wall
walkers that were so popular about 10 years ago (what happened to them? to
pet rocks? to hula hoops?).  Actually, what seems to excite me the most
about this is thinking about the sound.  Little half-inch pieces of Velcro
make the most curious noise when ripped apart; imagine the thrill of a
body-sized rip.  Whoa!!!

     Entertainment comes in infinite varieties, it seems, and RIME has been
the object of one curious pasttime:  the leaving of tasteless, unbelievably
tasteless messages.  In the form of both poetry and prose quite foul, these
messages have been both an insult and assault on a network that has become
known for peace and comfort (I thought better of the word "quiet"). Many
SysOps scurrying around to remove messages from their individual nodes,
much hair pulling by the SC, much open-mouthed disbelief on your editor's
part.  Certain folk just don't understand that this network is a place that
many call home, and they come into our living room and trash the place to
smithereens.  Very sad.

     This month's issue is a tad late -- the editor's choice.  The material
that appears in Jackie's Beanstalk had been provided by one half of the
pair being discussed;  Jackie had not heard from the other half, just to
make sure this was not another "entertainment."  See what happens?  I get
paranoid, don't I?  Anne's response finally appeared, and we go to press.
Also, note that Jackie Doty has, by virtue of the benevolent courts of
Michigan, become a single woman with associated name change.

     So, August is here, summer is building to fall.  This is the month of
the new network software and much work ahead converting.  Kip has created a
marvel called PostLink;  Bonnie is posting descriptions of its capabilities
in the RIMENEWS conference.  The conference deserves at least a weekly
reading.  Stay tuned.

     Until next month, when I hope to bring you more ramblings from the
world of RIME...

I remain,
Frankly,
Curt

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
2 - JACKIE'S BEANSTALK                      By Jackie Jones, Node ID ->MORE
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

     There are times in which we reach out into life and draw back to us a
piece of wonder.  In my last column, I shared some of my experiences with
the magic of the modem.  I sent out a plea, baited with my own story, for a
sharing from anyone with a tale to tell.  The result was a thoroughly
entrancing love story.

     Please meet Anne Abbott and Rob Warenda, both from Toronto, Canada.
A few months ago, Rob contacted Curt Akin and offered to share their
story with RIMETIMES.  Knowing of the Beanstalk's needs, Curt shared
the offer with me.  After a few futile attempts, Rob and I finally
connected.

From Rob, dated July 10:

        I've been having a heck of a time trying to get a reply to you.
    Believe me, I have been replying.  I sent out a large message,
    outlining how I met Anne and our relationship since.  It must have gone
    through the Bermuda Triangle.  Here's one more attempt.  To save time,
    I'll just mention the very important parts...

    We met over the modem.  It was on a BBS called The Free Access Network
    (FAN).  She didn't tell me she has Cerebral Palsy until we were about
    to meet.  I didn't know what CP was, but that didn't matter.  I felt
    like I wanted to meet her.  She seemed like a nice person.  We met on
    January 6, 1988, and since then, we got engaged.

    We can't get married in the near future because the government doesn't
    want disabled people to get married, so they'll take away her pension,
    if she marries an able-bodied person.  She only loses half if she
    marries another disabled person.

    I don't get very verbose when it comes to answering questions.  Anne
    would be better with the answers, since she's a writer.  She's also an
    artist.  She paints with one finger and sketches.  Too bad you can't
    add GIFs of her artwork.

[Jackie's note:  I would love to!]

     In reply to a question as to their beginnings, I received this post
from Rob, dated July 16:

    The Free Access Network had something called the Talk Channels.  I was
    in there with a few other people when she came in.  I'd noticed that
    she never said anything to me.  I was wondering if I had said something
    that made her dislike me, so I asked her.  She said she didn't have
    anything against me.  After that, we started talking more often.  We
    wrote E-mail to each other more than talk keyboard-to-keyboard, even if
    we were in the Talk Channels at the same time.  I guess that was
    because she was afraid I'd notice her slow typing and become
    suspicious.

    At the time, I was very lonely.  I didn't have any friends.  On FAN, I
    had a reputation of being one of those guys who would hit on any of the
    women on the BBS.  I was just being friendly.  I had trouble meeting
    people in person, but on a BBS, it was easier.  I guess she was
    interesting to me because she was a female who paid attention to me.
    After we started writing to each other, I realized she was a very nice
    person.  She would tell me about her dog (Honey), her cat (Lulu) and
    how she likes to play cards with her brother.  That sounds like a nice
    person to me.

    The CP didn't matter because I didn't even know what CP was.  I had a
    slight idea what she was like.  I couldn't see how CP could make much
    of a difference.  Even though I was uncomfortable at first, I could see
    in her eyes that there was a mind inside.  Her CP is bad enough that
    some people may think she's retarded or something.  I could tell she
    wasn't.

    When we first met, she lived in the east end of Toronto, and I lived in
    the west end of Toronto.  It took about 45 minutes to drive there from
    here.  Now, she lives in the north end of Toronto, and that seems to be
    a little closer.  It only takes about half an hour to drive there.

    We were at a Metropolis meet around Christmas (I'm going to be a
    typical male and admit that I don't remember if it was last Christmas
    or the one before that.)  Her disability makes it difficult for her to
    eat some foods.  She was having french fries and one didn't go down all
    the way.  When that happens, she has to take a break and wait until it
    either comes up or goes down.  It makes her depressed because it ruins
    a good time for her.  After a while, she finally got rid of it and she
    was depressed.

    I thought I would cheer her up by pulling a ring out of my pocket and
    proposing.  It worked.

    If I could start a successful business, I could either be able to
    afford to hire someone to look after her while I work or she can work
    with me and I can look after her.  She needs people to do almost
    everything for her.  She can't feed, dress or do much for herself.  It
    doesn't look like my business will be taking off in the near future and
    at the moment, I'm unemployed.

***************************************************************************

     With the quietest touch, the modem reaches out and enriches lives. In
future times, we will probably take this modern miracle for granted. Right
now the history has begun, and we all share in it.  The potential is
amazing...let's explore it!

Talk to you later!

Jackie

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
3 - RIME'S INFINITE POSSIBILITIES      By Morten Sillesen, Node ID ->DKBBBS
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

                          USA-TRAVEL-SCHEDULE

               ͻ
                    WHEN              WHERE         
               ͹
                8/03-8/15    San Diego, CA          
               ͼ

[Editor's Note:  Morten's idioms have been left intact.]

     Again it was with mixed feelings that I said goodbye to somebody that
had just become my friends.  It seems very strange that when you really get
close you are going to be separated again, and it's hard to understand that
you maybe never will see these people again.

     Catherine Dotson and her daughter Abby and son Matt was a very good
host to me.  They live in Greenville, VA which is definitly at the
countryside. The family was aware of this, and in the beginning they was
afraid that I should get bored.  But living at the country gives you a
whole bunch of opportunities that a cityperson never have.  I went 4-wheel
riding, horseback riding, sailing, playing tennis, seeing a "Statler
Brothers" concert at the 4th of July and I also went to see the local
outdoor theatre in Lexington, VA.  This is of course only some of the
experiences I had in Virginia while I was there.  But just sitting at the
porch and looking at the mountains while playing with the kiddins and dogs
was such an experience.  What maybe seems natural to the local people was a
new world to me.  It happened that the family had deer and next to the
field with deers was a hammack.  Can you imagine how wonderful it was to
relax in this hammack while the deer was around you...?  Thank you
Catherine, Abby and Matt for letting me stay at your house and for treating
me with great kindness and hospitality.

     Catherine and her children was not the only people in Virginia who
gave me unforgettable moments.  The reason why I could visit Virginia at
all was Rick Davis, who is active in the GLOBAL-conference.  Rick
established the contact between me and Catherine since they're old
collegues.  Rick and his wife Michelle took me on a couple of tours in the
local area and showed me things I never would have seen without their
guidance.  Rick also offered me to use his computer and modem when ever I
was at his house, which was a great thing.  This way I got the news about
the Danish soccerteam and their incredible victory in the European
Championships of Soccer.  In these moments I felt VERY Danish.  Thank you
Rick and Michelle for taking me around and for giving me the opportunity to
visit Virginia.  Without you it wouldn't have been possible.

     Sunday the 5th of July was the last day in Virginia and my
AmTrak-train left from Charlottesville, VA 9:05 PM.  12 hours later it
arrived to Atlanta where I should spend the next 16 days with an American
friend of mine.  This host is the only one who is not connected to a
computernet, but that doesn't make it less interesting.  I must admit that
the days without the ability to use RIME has shown me how powerful RIME (or
the BBS world in general) really is.  I feel like I live decades earlier,
only able to receive informations from the TV, not express then via a
computer.  "Real" letters is far too slow and international phonecalls is
far too expensive. BBS'ing is a genious invention that requires a minimum
of knowledge and money - at least from a users point of view.

Morten Sillesen

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Here's a portrait of Morten seen through the eyes of Lyle Davis, Morten's
host during his final weeks in the US.  The following is extracted from a
public message left in the Writers Conference.

     I am entertaining a young writer from Denmark who is on a two month
visit to America and chronicling his adventures for the "Jylland Posten",
Denmark's largest newspaper.  His name is Morten Sillesen.  He is writing
both about his journey and his view of how Americans use their computers.
Copenhagen, indeed most of Denmark, has not gotten into computers the way
most of America has.  They use them in business but the BBS world is just
emerging there.

     I had not met the lad until last Saturday.  All I knew was that he was
a 21 year old Dane from Copenhagen; a first lieutenant in the Danish Army
Reserve (field artillery) who had only recently completed his two year
military commitment, and that he was seeking hosts for his journey.  He
will have had approximately two months in America, having arrived in New
York, then to Frederick, Maryland, W. Virginia, Atlanta, Georgia, New
Orleans and then Los Angeles.  He was to have had two weeks in Long Beach
and one week with me but, somehow, his Long Beach host evaporated and he
was stuck.  A young kid without a lot of money.  So, we decided to host him
for his three weeks.

     It was a bit disconcerting at first.  I could host most anyone for a
week; but three weeks is a long time to be with someone you've never met
and don't know.  I seldom entertain family for three weeks!  (Someone once
said family visitors are a bit like fish. After three days they both
smell).

     I didn't know if my unmet guest was going to turn out to be a dork - a
cold, standoffish type, a bookish character, or some type of demanding
individual.  Happily, the answer turned out to be none of the above.

     He is a handsome lad.  About six foot, blond, brown eyes.  Sturdy
build. An engaging smile, pleasant dry wit, good sense of humor.  Smiles
easily. He had taken a Super Shuttle from LAX to John Wayne Airport in
Orange County where I had agreed to meet him.  We found each other without
too much difficulty.  (Incidentally, the John Wayne Airport is absolutely
*beautiful*!  I've been in many airports all over this planet; this is the
most attractive one I've ever seen.)  We had a pleasant drive back to San
Diego as we got acquainted.

     My two sons, who are only slightly older than him, told me they knew
many young Southern California ladies if he would like to date (he doesn't;
he has a movie star quality beauty back in Copenhagen named Bettina).  They
both have volunteered to teach him to surf (I taught my kids how to surf
and now I won't go surfing with them.  They are too damned good!  Shows the
old man up whenever we get to the beach.)

     I suspect that he is having a good time.  He practically lives in my
swimming pool, raves about the blue skies and sunny, warm weather.  Today
we took him jet-skiing in the ocean, taught him how to boogie-board at
Moonlight Beach, showed him La Jolla Cove and the tidepools.  We've given
him a tour of La Jolla and Rancho Sante Fe (for those outside the area
these are the two very, very posh and expensive areas of San Diego).  We
have driven him throughout downtown San Diego and the various bays and
waterfront districts.  Naturally, he has been on a tour of my resorts at
Dixon Lake and at Moonlight Beach and has enjoyed each of them.  He has
visited the Wild Animal Park and will soon visit both Sea World and the San
Diego Zoo as well as spend a few days with my kids as he learns how to
become a "surfer dude".

     During the balance of his trip we will plan on a trip to Mexico (this
coming Monday and Tuesday), probably hit the wineries up near Rancho
California, drive to the top of Palomar Mountain, visit Julian (again, for
those outside the area, this is a pleasant little village in the mountains,
famous for its apple orchards, apple pies in the fall, and a kicked back
bucolic area).  He has watched me take a couple tennis lessons and I think
I can persuade him to take up the sport.  (He thinks it looks easy.  I told
him us pro's *make* it look easy.)

     He would also like to take a tour of Camp Pendleton (the big Marine
base) and the Seal Team Training Center on Coronado.  I have contacts at
both places so we'll see he gets his tour of the military facilities.

     He has access to RIME in Denmark.  In fact, that's how we met.  He is
a regular on the Global Conference, where I serve as Conference Host.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
4 - THE INNER VIEW                      By Inez Harrison, Node ID ->MOONDOG
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
                  
Tony Curro is the publisher/editor of ComputerTalk Magazine.

     ComputerTalk Magazine is an online magazine dedicated to computer
users.  Started in July 1992 (1st issue).

     It was felt that quite a few people did not buy magazines at
newsstands. And some of the ones who did found them too technical.  So an
online mag that would review, in fairly simple terms, software/hardware
would fit in nicely.

     Tony does both shareware and commercial reviews.  He will be doing a
Q&A column, Editorials, Letters to the Editor, articles, and whatever else
he can think of.

     The following is a review by Tony -

     [NOTE:  Please understand that the program name "wINEZ" did not
influence me whatsoever in sharing this article.  (And if you believe that
I've got a bridge I'd like to sell you!)]

                  ....................................
                  .              WinEZ               .
                  .A Shareware Utility for MS Windows.
                  ....................................

         Copyright (c) 1992 by Tony Curro. All rights reserved

     Have you ever opened so many windows that switching between became a
chore? You would have to minimize some just so you could have a clear space
to double-click to bring up Task Manager.

     Well, New Generation Software has eliminated that task for you.  Using
their WinEZ program you never have to minimize a window again!  The current
version WINEZ v3.0B, dated, May 1992, will work with Windows 3.1 and
earlier.

     Since this is a shareware product you will find it on most BBS's
including CompuServe.  Of course it will be in compress form.  Installation
is a snap.  All you have to do is extract all the files with a .EXE
extension to your Windows directory.  Then add it to your LOAD= line in
Windows v3.0, or to your STARTUP group in Windows 3.1, and see how easy it
is.  Of course you will have to start WINEZ the first time, unless you want
to restart Windows.

     When WINEZ is first run it reads your GRP and/or QAG groups and
creates its menu.  It places two icons on the Title Bar of the current
running program. If no programs are running then you will find them on the
Title Bar of the Program Manager.  WINEZ will always be present on the
active window.  Clicking on the left icon shows you a complete list of ALL
your groups.  Selecting one will then show you ALL the program names
contained in that group.  Highlighting and clicking on the program name
will run that program.

     Once it is running you can again use this icon to select to run other
programs.  Switching between them is one of the great features of WINEZ.
You click on the right icon that is the 'TASK SWITCH ICON,' and just
highlight the program you want up front; that quickly it is there, even if
it was minimized when you called it; no more double-clicking to bring it
up.  From this right icon you can also END a running program, or start a
new program (Via the RUN option), and change your options of the way WINEZ
itself runs.  You can change several options and even the position of the
two icons.  If you put the mouse pointer on the left "FAST PATH ICON" and
click the right mouse button, you will instantly have the Program Manager
up on screen.

     I have run the gamut of options to simplify my use of Windows.  I have
tried having my programs load at STARTUP (which can take forever), and then
double-clicking or using Task Manager to switch them.  I have used
Pub-Tech, and numerous other programs similar to WINEZ.  I put my money on
WINEZ.  The name itself tells you what to expect; an EASY installation,
operation, and ease of use.

     The current version reports show it to work with Norton's Desktop for
Windows.  You can even have WINEZ switch to the Desktop versus Program
Manager if you wish.  Matter of fact WINEZ will switch to ANY add-in
Windows Shell.

WinEZ is $29.95 plus $5.00 if you need the diskette (3.5 or 5.25). Look for
WINEZ3B, files dated 5/92, on BBSs or CompuServe, or you can order it
directly from the authors. Contact: New Generation Software, Ltd. P. O. Box
9700 Dept. 271 Austin, Texas 78766. Visa, MC, or check payable to: New
Generation Software Orders: (800) 964-7638, (713) 283-6760    credit cards
only via phone Fax:    (512) 388-4053

     Also you can order by leaving your CC info, disk size etc. on
Compuserve to New Generation  User 70312,127.  When you register this
program you receive a registration name and number, which when placed in
the program makes you a fully registered user.
....................................

Tony Curro can be reached by sending R/O mail to (0) Conf. on ->MOONDOG.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
5 - BBS CENSUS FORM
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

     Jeff Green, editor of ModemNews Magazine, contacted me for assistance
in the distribution of his BBS Census questionnaire.  Jeff does a
remarkable job with ModemNews;  his dedication to the modem community is
further reflected by the completeness of the census form.

     I have packaged the form with this issue.  The file is TFILE92.ZIP.
Please:  if you are a SysOp, complete it and get it back to Jeff.  If you
are not a SysOp, twist your SysOp's arm to complete it.

     Thanks.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
6 - SHAREWARE REVIEW                      By Patrick Grote, Node ID ->SHRPT
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

      PROGRAM:      Menu Ace Version 1.30
       AUTHOR:      Blue Ace Software
                    290 Oakmere Drive
                    Alpharetta GA  30201
     RELEASED:      May, 1992
 REGISTRATION:      $10.00
 RESTRICTIONS:      None
    NAME/SIZE:      MACE130.ZIP, 204414 bytes
     DL TIMES:      2400:   14.8 minutes
                    9600:    3.3 minutes

      SUMMARY:      Menu Ace is a very well written, solid menu program that
                    doesn't assume anything about the end user.  It is a
                    flexible package that has a few goodies thrown in for
                    extra measure.

     Software, software, software.  We all love it.  We all collect it.  We
all need some way to sort through it!  If you are a Windows user, that
process has been handled for you already via the use of groups and icons.
If you are a DOS user, though, the hard drive can look as unfamiliar as the
last trip to Grandma's house.

     The jungle of the hard drive can be littered with your mainstay
programs (word processor, spreadsheet, telecommunications package) and with
the adjunct programs that seem to find their way into the land of your hard
drive (that game you tried, the math tutor you looked at, the spelling
package you browsed over).  Most of these programs are programs you need.
How can you make sure that you can efficiently get to every program you
need?  A road map!

     Road maps for hard drives are called menu programs.  Just like their
cousins in the restaurant business, PC menus allow you to choose which
application (meal) want to run (eat).  Just like the restaurant menus, PC
menus come in different sizes, shapes and abilities.  About the only thing
you can't get a menu program to do is sing the choices to you!

     MENU ACE is a menu program that satisfies the basic need for
organization and structure in the jungle of your hard drive, but also adds
a few neat features that make computing more productive!

     The documentation for MENU ACE is 48 pages of well-written, easily
understandable instructions.  With sections for ERROR MESSAGES and COMMONLY
ASKED QUESTIONS, the manual really sports a professional feel.  A novice
user will have no trouble getting the program installed between the install
utility and the documentation.

     Installing MENU ACE is as easy as typing install.  Simply unZIP the
archive into a work directory, type install and specify the directory where
you would like MENU ACE to reside.  MENU ACE then begins copying all the
files to the destination sub-directory.  The speed of the install is nice,
less than a minute, but the program fails to clean up after itself when it
installs.  It leaves the unZIPPED files in the work directory.  The program
also masks the DOS input line when finished, so you cannot see anything you
type.

     Typing MENU begins MENU ACE.  After a short (less than two seconds)
delayed screen letting you know that the product is unregistered, you are
welcomed into MENU ACE by the first menu:

   Fri  5/29/92                   MENU ACE 1.30                    9:09:52 am   
             Read all about it. Menu Ace makes setting up menus easy!           






 MAIN ͸
A  Read Menu Ace Doc          
B  Print Menu Ace Doc         
C  Read Last Minute Info      
D  Print Last Minute Info     
E  Read Install Doc           
F  Print Install Doc          
G  *Menu Ace Utilities*       
;







  Help  Configure  Datebook  Time/Date  Lock  Run-Command         Quit

     The menu screen is laid out very nicely.  The top line is consistent
throughout the program.  The date and time are always displayed at each
menu choice and during the configuration program.  The second line contains
configurable text that can be changed to whatever you would like depending
on which menu you have selected (IE: The DOS Utilities menu could have "DOS
UTILITIES" as the title).  The menu itself can support up to 18 choices,
with unlimited sub-menus nested underneath.

     Sub-menus are shown with asterisks surrounding them.  In the above
example, MENU ACE UTILITIES is a menu choice.  Under this menu choice you
can have 18 more menu choices if you wanted, each branching out to 18 more
menus, etc.

     Controlling MENU ACE is as simple as hitting the ALT key.  When you do
this your choices' first letter lights up, letting you know that you have a
choice.  By hitting ALT on the first menu, HELP, CONFIGURE, DATEBOOK,
TIME/DATE, LOCK, and RUN-COMMAND's first letter lights up.  Hitting the
respective letter while holding the ALT key down select that section.  MENU
ACE also allows mouse control, which is fluid and easy to use.

     Selecting HELP is disappointing.  The only help you receive is the
keystrokes necessary to perform a certain command.  There is no explanation
of the command available to you.

     CONFIGURE allows you to setup the menu selections and control some
environment settings such as color and screen blanking time.  The menu
setup section is very well designed.  The only steps to defining a new menu
are telling MENU ACE what to name the menu, where to find the programs to
execute and then describing each program.  A three step process that is
simple.  You can even change the title of the menu depending upon the
programs being executed.

     Environmental settings such as color can be setup from within
CONFIGURE, as well as the password settings, usage log defaults and much
more.

     The selection DATEBOOK is a simple calendar function that allows you
to enter limited notes for certain days of the year.  The program doesn't
notify you of any reminders on a certain day, so the function is limited. A
neat feature in the DATEBOOK is the ability to see how many days fall
between two dates.  Inputting the information for this is tricky, for you
have to specify the 19 in 1992, for the program will do it from any year
after 1583.

     TIME/DATE lets you easily change the system's time or date.  This
function should be password protected with the system password specified in
CONFIGURATION, but it isn't.

     LOCK is a neat feature that allows you to lock your keyboard before
leaving your desk.  After the specified time in CONFIGURATION, the screen
blanker kicks in to avoid that "phosphorous high" your monitor can get.
What is missing is the ability to make MENU ACE lock itself after a period
of inactivity; it does screen blank after a period of inactivity.

     RUN-COMMAND allows you to run a quick DOS command from within MENU
ACE. This is password protected with the DOS password specified in
CONFIGURATION.

     Kicking the tires on MENU ACE makes you realize that the shareware
goal is still attainable: well written, inexpensive software.  MENU ACE
meets all the basic menu needs of any computer user and peppers the
performance with features such as usage logging, password guarding and
screen blanking that the advanced user will enjoy.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
7 - VIRUS TRIGGERING IN AUGUST                By J. Barrett, Node ID ->MORE
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Any program *may* be good, but we (RIME) do not take responsibility for it?

August 15           Casino (FAT and .COM growth)

August 16th         August 16th (.COM file growth)

                       ------------------------

[ Note: The following list will only be in every other issue of RIMETIME.
Most articles are directly from the VSUM??? program. ]

Activation Date/Day of Week                 Virus Name

Sundays (any)                               Sunday
                                            Sunday-2
Mondays (any)                               Carfield
                                            I-B (BadGug)
                                            I-B (BadGuy 2)
                                            I-B (Exterminator)
Mondays the 28ths                           Crazy (Eddie)
Tuesdays (any)                              Ah
                                            I-B (Demon)
                                            I-B (Demon-B)
                                            Kamasya
Tuesday the 1st                             Jerusalem (JVT1)
Tuesday the 13th                            Jerusalem (Anarkia)
Wednesdays (any)                            Victor
Thursdays the 12ths                         CD
Fridays (any)                               Frere Jacques
                                            Smack
Friday not the 13ths                        Jerusalem (Payday)
Friday the 13th                             1720
                                            Friday the 13th COM
                                            Jerusalem
                                            RAM Virus
                                            Surlv 3.00
                                            Westwood
Friday the 13ths (starting in 1992)         Hybryd
Fridays after 15th of Month                 Jerusalem (Skism)
                                            Jerusalem (Skism-1)
Saturdays (any)                             Italian Pest (Finger)
                                            Jerusalem (Phenome)
                                            Migram
Saturday the 14ths                          Saturday The 14th
2nd day of any month                        Flip
                                            Tormentor-1072 (Nuke)
5th day of any month                        Frog's Alley
8th day of any month                        Taiwan
10th day of any month                       Day10
13th day of any month                       Monxla
18th day of any month                       FORM-Virus (Form-18)
20th day of any month                       Day 10
24th day of any month                       FORM-Virus
30th day of any month                       Day 10
Jan 1 - Sept 21                             Plastique-COBOL
Year is 1992                                Europe-92
                                            Were Here
                                            Year 1992

[ The following are excerpts from the hack report as seen in the RIME
conferences Shareware and Software.  They are meant to be alerts
only.  We at RIMETIME take no responsibility in the reporting and/or
the validation of this report. ]

                       ------------------------

XTRATANK

                                Hoax Alert:

     You guessed it: XTRATANK again, The Hoax That Would Not Die.  Kyle
Pinkley (1:3803/1) forwarded a message from Dave Hanley of Lafayette, LA,
that has reported some potentially damaging behavior by XTRATANK (seen as
archive name XTANK).  Dave ran PC Tools' FIXDISK program with XTRATANK
installed, and wound up trashing 20 megs of files before he could hit the
reset button.  Kyle also tried the program himself, and had "Sector not
found" errors after he deleted the program.

     Tony Summerfelt (1:249/99.2) reports that the following file is listed
on the Nightowl 6 CD-ROM:

  XTRATANK.ZIP  47454  05-07-91  XtraTank v1.14 - it is designed to double
                                 the space available on a hard drive or
                                 drives.

     This is from the MASTER.LST file on the disk, according to Tony.

     For those of you who think that you may have XTRATANK actually working
as advertised, here is the now-famous Fitzgerald Test, devised by Tim
Fitzgerald of 1:3800/18.0.  Try this if you think you have managed to get
XTRATANK to work on your system.  Follow these simple steps:

     1. Run CHKDSK and write down the free space it reports as free.
     2. Do a DIR command and write down what XTRATANK reports.
     3. Copy any text file to a new text file.
     4. Repeat steps 1 and 2, and compare.

     You will see that XTRATANK reports that twice as much disk space is
taken up by the new text file.  Tim concludes that XTRATANK fools you into
thinking that it gives you more space by doubling what the DOS DIR command
reports.  If you get different results, _please_ send them to me
immediately!  Until then, consider XTRATANK a hoax that doesn't work.


appropriate credit to the FidoNet International Shareware Echo (and the
author <g>).

                       ------------------------

By RICHARD STEINER

   QEdit                QEDIT500.*                QEDIT215
     Reported by: Onno Tesink (ILink, via Richard Steiner, 1:282/85)
     A file was sent to Hack Central Station by Michael Kerr (1:309/7),
called NPV2.ZIP.  This file contains something called the "Non-Programmer's
Virus." According to Michael, the file is unusual in that the virus source
code is contained in the file.

     To compound matters, the file contains an infected version of LIST.COM
which is not caught by McAfee's SCAN.  Michael, like many of us, fires up
LIST right after unarchiving a file to read the docs, so the infected
version executed before the one on his path, and boom!  His system was
infected.

     Michael says that the program is supposedly an aid in testing
anti-viral software.  With this in mind, a copy of this file has been sent
to Bill Logan (1:300/22), an agent of McAfee associates, for testing.
Results of his tests will be reported here as soon as they arrive.

     A quick update on COMPILER.ARJ, reported here last week.  If you
remember, there were two phone numbers listed in the doc file - a 1-800
number (for a phone sex line), and another regular phone number.  Bruce
Diamond (1:130/47) reports in the FidoNet PDREVIEW echo that this second
number is disconnected.  Good thing it wasn't a voice number, though.

                       ------------------------
Seen in the conferences:

                      ?????Questionable Programs?????

     I received a message on The ECS BBS (1:382/87) from Patrick
Pfadenhauer, who says he is 12 years old, about a file called EPW27.*.  He
has an earlier release, EPW12, which he likes, so naturally he downloaded
what he thought was the latest version.

     He said that the archive contained 4 new .COM files which were supposed
to be "Drivers that must be loaded before you run the program," but which
turned out to be virus droppers.

     The reason I have this in this section is that I have no idea what
EPW12 is really supposed to be, and I hope that someone can help out on
this. I also have no information on what virii were in the .COM files.  If
Mr. Pfadenhauer is reading this, or if anyone else can help, please contact
me.  Which, of course, sequels into our next section...

                       ------------------------

     Here's a twist: a file that looks like it might be a hoax, but isn't!
Harold Stein (WildNet, via Ken Whiton) reported a file with the following
description:

  PKCONTST.ZIP    14568  Win $1000 from PKWare if you can decrypt the ZIP
                         file contained herein.

     Suspicious looking, but according to Douglas Hay of PKWare (in the
CompuServe PKWare Support Forum (PCVENC)), this is a legitimate release
from the folks at PKWare.  At first, this looks odd: PKWare encouraging
hacking?  However, after some discussion in FidoNet, I have to hand it to
PKWare for the ingenuity of the idea.  (Maybe they'll be able to hire a
top-flight programmer from the entries! <grin>)

                       ------------------------
From: RICHARD STEINER
Subj: Hack Report #19 Up#1  2/4
The Hack Update
Update #1 for July 1992

                                Hoax Alert:

     Kim Miller (1:103/700) forwarded a message to the SHAREWRE echo from an
unidentified user about a file called SPEEDUP.COM.  The message stated that
this is a "harmless" hoax that doubles the length of each second of your
computer's clock and resets it to use 30 of these new seconds per minute.
I'm not sure what this means, but keep your eyes open anyway.

     John Grothman left a message on The ECS BBS about a possible hoax file
called FISHTRO.ZIP.  This file claims to be an "amazing VGA demo," but all
it does is spin your hard drive requiring a reboot to regain system
control.  John looked at the file using LIST, and found a comment about a
party for "PC and Amiga Types" in a town outside of Helsinki.  This may
just be an incompatibility problem with John's system, but it could be a
hoax.

     Update:  A copy of XTRATANK has been sent to Bill Logan (1:300/22) for
testing.  Results will be posted here as soon as I receive them.  Thanks to
Brian Durham (1:3612/210) for reporting a file called XT_HOAX which
"debunks" the entire XTRATANK hoax.

     Also, thanks to Steve Baker (1:114/116) for his warning that you must
"uninstall" XTRATANK rather than just delete its files (if you have been
caught by this hoax).  A friend installed it, tested it, and confirmed the
hoax on a Tandy 1000, then found that deleting the files made the hard
drive inaccessible.

                              The Trojan Wars

     Robert Hinshaw (1:291/16) and Eric Kimminau (1:120/335) both forwarded
a message by Eric Pullen (USTGNET) about a couple of Trojans.  First, Eric
reports a Trojan called TG27FAST that claims to "speed up" Telegard.  The
.ZIP file (5097 bytes) actually is a disk-eater: when ran from a floppy,
the floppy was damaged enough to be unrecoverable.  When he ran it from an
old hard drive, the HD required reformatting.  Dangerous.

     Eric also found a Trojan called 240TOMNP that at first glance looked
like another MTE pirate.  However, this file (.ZIP 5295 bytes) trashed
another floppy (apparently the same way as TG27FAST - Eric didn't
elaborate).

     Herb Oxley (1:101/435) forwarded a message to the COMM echo from Tom
Ward, SysOp of the BCS TI99 BBS (617-331-4181) about an ASCII text file
bomb (actually appears to be an ANSI bomb) called FREEHST.ZIP.  This file
is supposed to tell you how to get a free HST modem (its advice: steal
one). It also does several keyboard remapping tricks, including a fake C>
prompt and a few FORMAT invocations.  The DOS Type command is somehow
intercepted and translated into a FORMAT command as well.  The best way to
avoid ANSI bombs is to use an ANSI driver that can disable keyboard
redefinitions, such as NANSI or PKSFANSI.

     Mark Evans (1:382/87) forwarded a message from Michael Masters, SysOp
of the Conceptual CAD Design BBS in Tempe, AZ, about a file called MOBYZ.*.
The message stated that this file will "do a number on your hard drive."
Michael said he uploaded the file to the McAfee BBS, who confirmed its
Trojan nature.  No further details were given, but this seems like enough
to warrant avoiding the file.

     David Ekins (2:254/78) reports in the VIRUS echo that he just spent 2
days recovering from an attack on his BBS by a file called BILLNTED.EXE.
This bogus journey begins with a message that says, "Decompressing
database, please wait......" It then says, "Looks like Evil Spirits's
Bill'N'Ted has formatted your drive,dude."  This file trashed David's
partition table and formatted the first 50 tracks of his hard drive.  David
goes on to say it does not appear to affect non-boot drives.

     I have further information from Patrick Pfadenhauer (via Mark Evans,
1:382/87) about a file called EPW27.*.  The real EPW protects .EXE and .COM
files with passwords and encrypts the password file.  The dropper, v2.7,
contains three virii:  ITTI-A, ITTI-B, and Rock Steady, loaded by a batch
file that installs "drivers" and runs the program.

     HackWatcher Ken Whiton forwarded a message from Jim Lambert (WildNet
Shareware Conference) about a file called SHIELD20.*, which claims to
protect you from Trojans.  Instead, Jim says the file is a Trojan itself.
He did not elaborate.

     Ken also forwarded another message from Gary Meade, SysOp of the Tiger
Run BBS in Sioux Falls, SD, about a file called VGA835.* which claims to be
a VGA game.  In fact, it wipes out your hard drive.

     Dan Stark (1:247/101) found a file called VIRTUAL.ARJ, claiming to be a
virtual reality game.  One of the files in the archive has the text string,
"This bombing was compliments of A.C.K. and its affiliates."  He says he
sent this to McAfee, who say it will trash your hard drive.

     Dan also reports a file called BACKFIND.EXE that has several obscene
text strings in it.  He didn't know what it would do, but from the strings,
it seems that it will do serious damage to your system's drives.

     Another report from Dan concerns a CVIR.EXE (2336 bytes), a claimed
virus scanner.  This one also has some obscenity in the .EXE:  an abridged
version shows, "/Checking drive for VIRII/TROJANs.  Please wait.EHAHA  God
your a ****ing moron.  YOU HAVE BEEN HIT BY A TROJAN!  HAHA".  Looks nasty.

     Finally, Dan reports on WHALE.COM, claimed to be a VGA graphic of a
whale. Virus watchers would suspect this immediately, and correctly - it is
the straight WHALE virus code.  Thanks to Dan for these reports:  I hope
none of them hit his system.

     An update on the COMPILER.ARJ file reported in the last full issue of
The Hack Report:  Dave Doehrman (1:236/21) reported in the PDREVIEW echo
that he uploaded a copy to the McAfee BBS for testing.  A reply from
Spencer Clark on this BBS stated that when the file was run, it erased the
COMMAND.COM file in the current directory.  So, our suspicions were
correct:  this is a Trojan.

                      ?????Questionable Programs?????

     HackWatcher Richard Steiner (1:282/85) did some further research on the
status of a so-called shareware version of SimCity.  According to a Maxis
representative on America OnLine, "SimCity *is* not shareware, *has* not
been shareware, and *will* not be shareware."  Enough said.

     Also on the game front, some official information about which Apogee
releases are shareware.  According to Jay Wilbur (1:124/6300) of Id
Software, episodes 1 and 4 of Commander Keen, along with the demo version
of episode 6 are distributable, as is episode 1 of Wolfenstein 3-D.  Other
versions of these games are not supposed to be posted for download.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
8 - CONFERENCE NEWS                         By James Wall, Node ID ->DREAM
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

     PLEASE NOTE!!!   There will be no new RIMECONF file or CONFLST file
     sent out this month.  The new Postlink software will be available
     August 8th and a new listing will be sent out at that time denoting
     the new Conferences and a new file (I'm not sure of the name) will
     be sent out for the Postlink Software.

New Conferences:

NAME:         CHINESE
NUMBER:       215
DESCRIPTION:  The Chinese conference discusses Chinese Software
              (i.e. Chinese version of Windowa and Dis, Chinese
              WordProcessors, etc.) and hardware, languages, cultures,
              history, foods (recipes), travel guides, current events,
              martial arts, medicine, old sayings, inventions,
              education, music, religions...and everything Chinese.
HOSTS:        Kai Liang  Node ID  ->MAGNET
              Jing Liang Node ID  ->SINEWAVE

NAME:         QUALITAS SUPPORT (Qualitas)
NUMBER:       227
DESCRIPTION:  Technical support for all Qualitas products, including the
              very popular 386 TO THE MAX program.
HOST:         David Reinheimer  Node ID  ->QUALITAS

NAME:         PCBCOMM
NUMBER:       291
DESCRIPTION:  This conference is open to users who are owners of
              PCBCOMM.  All technical questions will be answered directly
              by the staff of Clark Development.
HOST:         David Terry  Node ID  ->SALTAIR

The following are new Conference Hosts:

Andy Corbin      Node PHOTOSTR           POLICE    (143)
Bob Waller       Node FIAWOL             ALT-ENT   (245)
Patrick Grote    Node SHRPT              OMEN      (90)
Lisa Powell      Node CRS                WOMEN     (80)
Warren Royal     Node ATLWIN             MS-WORD   (122)
Frank Yang       Node FILELINK           IBM       (60)
Jude Saucier     Node PUMA               GAYISSUES (125)
Lisa Powell      Node CRS                GAYISSUES (125)

The following Conference Host has changed nodes:

Sue Smith is now hosting PETS (52) from Node CMCORNER

The following conference has been discontinued:

METASYS/SPITMAIL  Conference 183

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
9 - WHO'S WHO AND WHAT'S WHAT            By Patrick Lee, Node ID ->RUNNINGB
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

The following is a list of "Who's Who" in RelayNet:

Steering Committee:
  Bonnie Anthony      RUNNINGA       Rex Hankins         IBMNET
  Howard Belasco      RUNNINGB       JThomas Howell      MORE
  Mike Glenn          PARTY

Conference related:
  Paul Hileman        BAYOU          Conference Liaison (handles all
                                     intra-conference problems)
  Rick Kingslan       OMAHANET       Marketing Coordinator (PR)
  James Wall          DREAM          Conference Manager
  Patrick Lee         RUNNINGB       Statistician

AUTOSEND lists:
  Bonnie Anthony      RUNNINGA       Nodes listing (RIME.ZIP)
  James Wall          DREAM          Conference list (CONFLST.ZIP)
  James Wall          DREAM          Conference list (RIMECONF.ZIP)

BBS software that currently has an UTI interface with PCRelay:
     Auntie              MajorBBS            Remote Access
     dBBS                Maximus             Searchlight
     EIS                 PCBoard/ProDoor     Spitfire
     Executive Host      QuickBBS            TriBBS
     GAP                 RBBS                UltraBBS
     GT Power                                Wildcat!


     The Maximus UTI has been released.  (It was listed in the April RIME
Times but it was not released at that time; it is now.)  The filename is
MXUTI21A.LZH and can be found on the author's support board at (513)
237-7737.

     The Executive Host UTI is a new addition.  For information on
obtaining a copy, contact either Jeff Smart ->DESIGN or Steve Wood
->WOODSHED.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
10 - NOTICES
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

	 RIMETIMES is now dispatched by Bonnie Anthony to all nodes in the
network.  No AUTOSEND list is required.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     To make life easier for the staff, the following submittal guidelines
are suggested:

1)  To be included in the next month's newsletter, articles must be
    received by the 15th of the current month.

2)  A routed, receiver-only (private) message in the COMMON conference is
    acceptable.  Please route general material and queries to: Curt Akin
    Node ID ->MORE.  Submittals to Jackie's Beanstalk should be sent to
    Jackie Jones Node ID ->MORE.

3)  When submitting articles or sending other messages to the Staff of
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4)  Your name as used on RIME.

5)  Your Node ID if you are a RIME SysOp or your "home" board ID if you are
    a RIME user.

6)  Any special instructions.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice: 1. The RIMENEWS Conference (200) is a READ ONLY conference.  Node
           SysOps can force this conference to be read only by adding the
           following line immediately after the EXPORT:
           PKZIP -d <path><nodeid>.RLY *.200
        2. RIME distribution files which used to be identified with MMYY
           in their file names are now identified YYMM.  This change makes
           RIME files appear in date sequence in sorted listings.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

	 RIMETIMES is published monthly by the membership of RelayNet
International Message Exchange as its official newsletter.  Users and
SysOps are encouraged to contribute.

     (c) Copyright 1992, The RelayNet International Message Exchange.
Permission is hereby granted for unlimited distribution and duplication,
provided such distribution and duplication are strictly for non-commercial
purposes and that no alterations are made to any file contained in the
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