       ********    **************************************************
             *    *                                                  *
            *     *                 The independent guide to BITNET  *
           *      *                                                  *
          *       *                             July - August, 1989  *
         *        *                                                  *
        *         *                              Volume 4, Number 1  *
       ********   *                                                  *
                  *                                                  *
        ***       *                                                  *
       * * *      *                                                  *
       * * *      *                                                  *
       * * *      *  Hora coctava per protiniam teremeles            *
       * **       *  Limagiles teretant et quoque gyrirotant         *
                  *  Sunt tenuiscopi macrilli; saepeque virci        *
           *      *  Edomipali etiam vocibus eruditant.              *
           *      *                                                  *
       ******     *  'Semper fac caveas, mi fili, Taetriferocem,     *
           *      *  Morsu qui laniat, unguibus et lacerat!          *
           *      *  Te procul incursu volucris recipe orbiiubatae   *
                  *  Devitaque itidem silvirapum frumium!'           *
       ********   *                                                  *
             *    *  Dextra vorpalem gladium tunc vibrat et effert:  *
            *     *  Hostem dirificum quaeritat ille diu --          *
           *      *  Arborem iners prope tumtumiam                   *
            *     *  stans tum requiescit                            *
             *    *  Secum paulisper res varias reputans.            *
       ********   *                                                  *
                  *  Dumque manet,                                   *
        ***       *  conceptaque mente subarvia fingit,              *
       *   *      *  Taetriferox, flammas eiciens oculis,            *
       *   *      *  Per silvam blaterans argutat turmidulosam,      *
       *   *      *  Et propius veniens burbulat assidue.            *
        ***       *                                                  *
                  *  'Hoc cape! Et id cape!'                         *
       ******     *  Sic penitus per Taetriferocem                   *
           *      *  Vorpalem gladium perniciens adigit!             *
           *      *  Prostratum sic exanimumque deinde relinquit,    *
           *      *  Et capite arrepto cursiovans revenit            *
       ****       *                                                  *
                  *  'Tune offere necem quivisti Tetriferoci?        *
           *      *  Te sine complectar, praehilaris iuvenis!        *
           *      *  Tempus vero laudificum! Dic "Euge, triumphe!"'  *
       ******     *  Ingenio elatus laetitia fritulit.               *
           *      *                                                  *
           *      *  Hora coctava &c                                 *
                  *                                                  *
       ********   *                                                  *
           *      *                                                  *
           *      *                                                  *
           *      *                                                  *
       ****        **************************************************

1




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


       Editor:  Christopher Condon                    CONDON @ YALEVM


       ********************* Contents - Issue 32 *********************

        *********
       *     *** *  EDITORIAL PAGE____________________________________
       *    ***  *
       *  ***    *  Bitnotes ....................................... 1
       ***     ***  Jim Conklin Returns ............................ 3
       *    ***  *
       *  ***    *
       * ***     *
        *********

        *********
       * ***     *  FEATURES__________________________________________
       * ***     *
       * ****    *  Athene: The Amateur Creative Writing Journal ... 5
       * *****   *  Communicating with CompuServe .................. 7
       * ******  *  Oasis .......................................... 9
       * *** *** *  Announcing NAMESERV@BRANDEIS .................. 11
       * ***  ****
        *********

        *********
       *         *  DEPARTMENTS_______________________________________
       *     *****
       *    ***  *  Headlines ..................................... 12
       *   ***   *  New Mailing Lists ............................. 15
       *  ***    *  Helpdesk ...................................... 20
       *****     *  Feedback ...................................... 23
       *         *  NetMonth Policies ............................. 24
        *********

      ********************** 5087 Subscribers ************************
1

                                                                Page 1


        *********
       *     *** *  Bitnotes
       *    ***  *
       *  ***    *  by Christopher Condon
       ***     ***
       *    ***  *  Yale University
       *  ***    *
       * ***     *  CONDON@YALEVM
        *********


                          "There he goes again..."


       It's summer, and a particularly slow one at that.   The typical
       October  to  March flood  of  articles  has  slowed to  a  mere
       trickle.    Inevitably,  the July issue has been delayed to the
       point of becoming a July/August issue  due to lack of material.
       When the fall  semester begins again I will no  doubt have more
       to print than I can handle.    In the meantime,  however,  this
       lull provides  me with  the perfect  opportunity to  get on  my
       soapbox once again and scream, "CONTRIBUTE TO NETMONTH!!!!"

       This magazine has  always depended on the  contributions of its
       readers.  And while I wouldn't dream of trying to make you feel
       guilty, it strikes me as odd that more you haven't been able to
       send in articles and editorials.  (This is particularly strange
       when the number of subscribers continues to grow.  Can you save
       five thousand?  I knew you could!!!)

       Now, I know that you are all busy.   Hell,  *I'm* busy, more so
       than ever.   Yet  I can still find  the time to trek  up to the
       Yale  Computer  Center on  a  sunny  weekend (ok,   today  it's
       raining)  and get the magazine together.   If only one tenth of
       you each contributed one article this year,  I'd have more than
       I'd ever be able to print.

       Excuse Number One:  "I have nothing to write about."

       You must be kidding.   How do you use the network?   Whats your
       opinion on the BITNET/CSNET merger?   What ideas do you have to
       make things better?   How does network  access help you do your
       work better?   What do you really HATE about BITNET,  LISTSERV,
       etc...?   I am  always looking for editorials.   If  you are in
       EARN, NETNORTH, or some other network altogether,  what is your
       viewpoint?    Surely you  have  an  opinion about  *something*.
       Sometimes articles about new servers  and network links can be,
       well, dry.  Your editorials add a little life to NetMonth.
1

                                                                Page 2


       Excuse Number Two:  "I don't have time."

       Listen,  bud,  if *I* can find  the time to organize this thing
       every month (or so),  you can find the time to write something.
       Remember,  I'm getting  paid as much for this as  you are (nil,
       nada, nothing, zilch).  Sure, I enjoy it, but its hard to print
       a newsletter without articles.

       Excuse Number Three:  "You probably already know about this."

       And  you're probably  wrong.    Remember  that to  keep  BITNET
       SERVERS up to date I need to  know what services are new,  what
       has changed, what has gone the way of NICSERVE (dead).  I'm not
       only interested in  servers,  but in network  related services,
       too, such as ISAAC.

       Okay,  I think  that I've prattled enough.   You  get the idea.
       The point  is that if  you want something  to read you  have to
       WRITE.   As  always,  I am also  looking for people  willing to
       write regular or  semi-regular columns on some  network related
       subject or another,  technical  or non-technical.   Tim Stephen
       (The Human Factor) and Craig White (Flames To:)   had admirable
       stints here, and I am sure that more of you can do the same.

       Lastly,  I  don't want  to forget  to thank  the people  who do
       contribute.    You  are  the people  who  make  this  possible.
       Without you, there wouldn't be a NetMonth at all.

                                   Virtually,

                                          Chris Condon@YaleVM
1

                                                                Page 3


        *********
       *     *** *  Jim Conklin Returns
       *    ***  *
       *  ***    *  by Jim Conklin
       ***     ***
       *    ***  *  BITNET Network Information Center
       *  ***    *
       * ***     *  CONKLIN@BITNIC
        *********


       Ã•from BitnewsÃ¥

       I'd like to apologize for my invisibility on the network during
       the last three months,  and  most particularly for my inability
       to  effectively  keep  up  on  my  mail  and  respond  to  both
       individuals  and list  messages in  a  timely fashion.    There
       simply have not been enough hours for me to accomplish critical
       tasks and also handle the very large volume of mail sent me, so
       I've had to put  mail aside for future review on  more than one
       occasion.    The same  has been  true of  mail to  some of  the
       generic BITNIC ID's, unfortunately.

       The last three months have been a time of desperately trying to
       accomplish those activities  most critical to the  operation of
       the network,  namely getting  routing-table information updated
       and distributed.    Everything else,   including even  updating
       people information not critical  to routing-table distribution,
       has had to take second place to the primary activity.   But the
       rest has  not been  forgotten.   We  will continue  to have  to
       postpone tasks  not critical to  the network operation  for the
       next few weeks, but you should soon be seeing improvments.

       We had a tremendous number of  updates to handle during May and
       June,  with  a corresponding  number of  errors to  correct and
       clarifications to  pursue.   Network  and BITNIC  4361 problems
       have also interrupted our work repeatedly.   However, we're now
       nearly  back onto  schedule in  our completion  of the  monthly
       processing.   We've corrected several broken procedures and are
       streamlining others.   We've nearly completed implementation of
       a Fourth Dimension  database of BITNET member  information,  to
       replace the  Ingres database  we had  been using  in Princeton.
       This will improve  our handling of member  information.   We're
       developing  new  procedures  for  entering  and  updating  mode
       information;  we expect in the longer run,  to be moving toward
       use of  the EARN tools  for this,   and even enhancing  some of
       them.   We've been slowly correcting  data which works fine for
       the tools  Chris Thomas  developed and  uses for  routing-table
       generation but  is incompatible with  GENROUTS --  that process
       continues.
1

                                                                Page 4


       You  should know  that  Amanda  Spiegel's willingness  to  give
       BITNIC and BITNET  three months of eighty hour  weeks,  and her
       ability to  sleuth out  the answers  to why  various procedures
       didn't work as advertised,  deserve most  of the credit for the
       completion  of routing-tables  during  the  last three  months.
       Mike Hrybyk's contributions,  since he started,  have also been
       significant.   Chris Thomas, as always, has been there helping,
       despite our earlier promise to have him out of the loop by now.
       Michael  Gettes has  helped us  across  several hurdles.    And
       others of you have been of assistance.  Thanks to all!
1

                                                                Page 5


        *********
       * ***     *  Athene: The Amateur Creative Writing Journal
       * ***     *
       * ****    *  by Jim McCabe
       * *****   *
       * ******  *  Michigan Technological University
       * *** *** *
       * ***  ****  MCCABE@MTUS5
        *********

       I  am  pleased to  announce  the  formation  of a  new  network
       "magazine" dedicated to short stories:


               **                                             ************
              *** *********** ****  **** ********* ***   ****  ***********
             **** **  ***  **  ***  ***   ***   **  ***  ***   ****     **
            *****     ***      ***  ***   ***       **** ***   ****
           ******     ***      ********   ******    ********   ****
          *** ***     ***      ***  ***   ***       *** ****   *******
         ***  ***     ***      ***  ***   ***   **  ***  ***   ****
        *********    *****    ****  **** ********* ****   ***  ****
       ***    ***                                              ****     **
      ***     ***              -------------------             ****    ***
    ******   *****             The Online Magazine             ***********
    ******   *****         of Amateur Creative Writing        ************
                           ---------------------------


       * What is Athene?   Athene is a free network "magazine" devoted
       to  amateur  fiction  written  by the  members  of  the  online
       community.  Athene does not limit itself to any specific genre,
       but will publish quality short  stories dealing with just about
       any interesting topic, including:

                   science fiction            fantasy
                   religion                   mystery
                   computers                  humor
                   psychology                 sports
                   politics                   business

       * Distribution:   Hopefully, if all goes well, a new issue will
       come out every month or so.   This will of course depend on how
       often people submit their stories.

       Athene will be published by me,  Jim McCabe,  from MCCABE@MTUS5
       on Bitnet.  Send mail to me if you would like to subscribe, ask
       questions, or just make comments.

       The magazine is NOT restricted  to Bitnet-only subscriptions --
       hopefully Athene will be able to reach everyone who wants it.
1

                                                                Page 6


       Right  now  I  am  considering  distributing  Athene  in  three
       different formats  - PostScript,  IBM Script/VS,   and straight
       ASCII.   The content  of the magazine will  be identical across
       all formats.   When you subscribe  please indicate which format
       you would prefer,  and if you think this multiple format scheme
       is a good idea in the first place.

       * Miscellaneous:

       This is a brand-new project,  and needs your support.   Without
       stories,  there can be no magazine.    I'd like to kick off the
       first issue with some great material,   so please contact me if
       you would like to see your  work published in Athene.   I would
       like to  send out the  first issue at  the end of  August,  but
       again this depends on how quickly the submissions arrive.
1

                                                                Page 7


        *********
       * ***     *  Communicating with CompuServe
       * ***     *
       * ****    *  by Christopher Condon
       * *****   *
       * ******  *  Yale University
       * *** *** *
       * ***  ****  CONDON@YALEVM
        *********


       Ã•All trademarks of CompuServe are acknowledgedÃ¥

       One of the  questions asked on BITNET and the  Internet for the
       past few  years has been  "How do  I send mail  to CompuServe?"
       For a very long time the answers have looked like this:

       "I don't think you can."

       "Forget it, there's no gateway."

       "The question HOW presumes that one CAN.  You CANNOT."

       "Stop asking that question!"

       "Not today, maybe someday."

       Well,   "someday"  has  finally arrived.    Someone  asked  the
       question  recently,  and  lo,   there  was a  positive  answer.
       Actually, there were several.  I have combined the responses of
       Murph Sewall,   Thomas  Ho,  Bill McGown,  James  Gallagher and
       others into what  is hopefully a coherent  explanation.   I was
       able to  test this  out with  my own  CompuServe userid  and it
       does, in fact, work.

       *  Sending mail  to  a user  in  CompuServe:    Userids on  the
       CompuServe  network  have  a   numeric  format:    two  numbers
       separated by a comma.  For example, my id is 72317,2337.   This
       comma,  of course,  would confuse mail systems everywhere else,
       so a  period is substituted  instead.   Therefore,   if someone
       tells  you that  they have  a  userid of  72115,2222 you  would
       address your mail to:

            72115.2222@COMPUSERVE.COM
                 +
                 ]
                 +--- Note the period, folks!

       Simple,  right?    Well,  your mail  system might not  know the
       location of the gateway to CompuServe,   in which case you have
1

                                                                Page 8


       to name  it explicitly.    In this  case,  you  would type  the
       address like so:

            72115.2222%COMPUSERVE.COM@SAQQARA.CIS.OHIO-STATE.EDU

       From the  CompuServe side,  you  would use their  EasyPlex mail
       system to send mail to someone in BITNET or the Internet.   For
       example, to send me mail at my BITNET id,  you would address it
       to:

            INET:CONDON%YALEVM.BITNET@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU

       Or to one of my Internet ids:

            INET:CONDON@VENUS.YCC.YALE.EDU

       Now,  if you have a BITNET to Internet userid,  this is a silly
       thing to do,   since your connect time to  CompuServe costs you
       money.   However, you can use this information to let people on
       CompuServe contact YOU.   CompuServe Customer Service says that
       there is no charge  to either receive or send a  message to the
       Internet or BITNET.
1

                                                                Page 9


        *********
       * ***     *  Oasis
       * ***     *
       * ****    *  by Adalma K. Stephens
       * *****   *
       * ******  *  Educational Computing Network of Illinois
       * *** *** *
       * ***  ****  XAKS@ECNCDC
        *********


       Ã•A Project of the Illinois Educational ConsortiumÃ¥

       OASIS is a catalog of microcomputer  software suited for use in
       higher education.   Faculty can use  it for planning curricula;
       students will find  software to supplement their  courses,  and
       staff will find  it helpful to identify  software for research.
       OASIS  is  operated  by  Adalma K.   Stevens  at  the  Illinois
       Educational Computing Network.   There is no charge to software
       publishers for information maintained on the OASIS database.

       OASIS  is interactive;   customized searches  may be  conducted
       using  up to  16 criteria,   such as  package name,   category,
       machine requirements, pricing,  and publisher name and address.
       Entries consist of a concise description, review citations, and
       data that  is important  in determining  the value  of software
       products.   All  information on  software products  is obtained
       from publishers or developers.  The information is verified for
       accuracy  prior to  being listed  on OASIS.    The database  is
       updated and expanded with new entries on a weekly schedule.

       OASIS is  accessible through a server  on BITNET,  a  toll free
       number in Illinois (800/552-8699),  on  the ISAAC network (only
       the IBM PC  compatible software portion of OASIS  is on ISAAC),
       and  through laboratory  terminals that  are  connected to  the
       Illinois Educational Computing Network.

       You can send commands to the OASIS server at the BITNET address
       OASIS@ECNCDC in the text/body of a mail (the "Subject:" line is
       ignored)  or in the text of an interactive message.   The valid
       commands are:

       HELP

       returns a brief list of OASIS server commands.

       INFO 

       returns information  on an  OASIS command  or a  search command
       criteria.  ALL returns all of the information topics as well as
       a description of the OASIS project.
1

                                                               Page 10


       SEARCH criteria=value 

       initiates  a  search of  the  OASIS  database by  the  criteria
       specified. You must specify a value for each criterion in which
       you  are interested.    All criteria  and their  values may  be
       abbreviated to  the least  number of  characters which  make it
       unique.

       The  software  packages listed  in  this  database are  not  an
       endorsement of their usefulness, and we make no warranty of any
       kind with regard to this written material.

       For more information on the OASIS Project, please contact:

       Ms. Adalma K. Stevens, Project Director
       OASIS Project
       2040 Hill Meadows Drive, Suite B
       Springfield, Illinois 62702
       217/782-6392    BITNET: XAKS@ECNCDC    FAX: 217/524-7741
1

                                                               Page 11


        *********
       * ***     *  Announcing NAMESERV@BRANDEIS
       * ***     *
       * ****    *  submitted by Matthew Wall
       * *****   *
       * ******  *  Brandeis University
       * *** *** *
       * ***  ****  WALL@BRANDEIS
        *********


       NAMESERV@BRANDEIS is now up and available for use by the BITNET
       community.    It  is  a  user directory  service  for  the  VAX
       computers  at   the  Feldberg   Computer  Center   of  Brandeis
       University.   Every account  on these machines is  known to the
       server; no accounts on any other computers are covered.   These
       VAXes are used only by faculty and graduate students.  The only
       undergraduates  with   accounts  are  employees   of  Computing
       Services.   The BITNET  nodes are named BRANDEIS  and BRANDLOG:
       either may be used for mail.

       There is, of course, no guarantee that a person with an account
       on these machines logs in with any frequency.

       Commands to NAMESERV must be sent as interactive messages; mail
       is ignored.  There are two commands: HELP and SEARCH.

       The HELP  command asks the  server to mail  you a copy  of this
       help file.

       The SEARCH command searches for a name: for example,

            SEARCH SMITH

       searches for every user whose last  name is Smith.   The server
       sends its response by interactive messages.

       By default,  the server searches a  list of last names.   These
       qualifiers may be used to search a different list:

            /FIRST   First names
            /LAST    Last names
            /FULL    Full names
            /GROUP   Group/department names
            /USER    Usernames

       For example, to search for users in the English department, you
       would use:

               SEARCH/GROUP ENGLISH
1

                                                               Page 12


        *********
       *         *  Headlines - all the news that fits
       *     *****
       *    ***  *  edited by Christopher Condon
       *   ***   *
       *  ***    *  Yale University
       *****     *
       *         *  Send your Headlines to BITLIB@YALEVM.
        *********


       * VMSSERV Update:

       VMSSERV @ UBVMSA    - SUNY at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
       VMSSERV @ UBVMSB    - SUNY at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
       VMSSERV @ UBVMSC    - SUNY at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
       VMSSERV @ SPCVXA    - St. Peter's College, Jersey City, New Jersey
       VMSSERV @ TOWSONVX  - Towson State University, Towson, Maryland
       VMSSERV @ UOFT02    - University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio
       VMSSERV @ FHCRCVAX  - Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

       Last month we reported on VMSSERV@FHCRCVAX.  As you can see, it
       also runs on other nodes,  although the contents of each server
       directory are not the same.   VMSSERV  is a file server storing
       many files  and utilities of interest  to users of  Digital VAX
       systems.


       *  foNETiks Ã•from  Eric KellerÃ¥:    "With  reference to  BITNET
       SERVERS,  please  note that  foNETiks is  no longer  active and
       should be removed from the file.  I  have been unable to find a
       successor."


       * BioSphere  Newsletter Ã•from  Terence SommervilleÃ¥:    "Please
       note that the Biosphere Newsletter  is no longer available from
       the Ozone list,  as  that list is dead.  It is  now sent out to
       members of the  new Biosphere Discussion list,   called BIOSPH-
       L@UBVM." To  join send the  following command  to LISTSERV@UBVM
       via mail or message:  SUB BIOSPH-L Your_full_name.


       * New  BITNIC Staffers Ã•from Jim  ConklinÃ¥:   "I am  pleased to
       announce that two new staff members are joining Amanda Spiegel,
       Michael Hrybyk, and me in our Washington, DC office.

       "Mary Kate Barone,  who started on  July 17,  will be assisting
       Amanda in  handling the administrative  aspects of  the Network
       Information  Center:   updating  node  and member  information,
       responding to inquiries,  handling membership dues,  supporting
1

                                                               Page 13


       Board activities, etc.   Mary Kate has experience with personal
       computer applications.   During the next  few weeks she will be
       learning about the BITNIC  office computer environment,  BITNET
       itself, and the BITNET software tools she'll be using.   She is
       enthusiastic about BITNET,   and we are delighted  that she has
       joined us.

       "Andrew Robinson is moving from the University of Maine to join
       the BITNIC on August 1, as a Network Analyst.  Many of you know
       Andy   through  his   responsibility  for   the  creation   and
       maintenance, while at Maine,  of the UMNEWS/CSNEWS server,  the
       BITNAUTS  list,  and  other  useful  services.   Andy  will  be
       assisting Michael Hrybyk with technical and operational aspects
       of the  BITNIC activities:   providing technical  assistance to
       BITNET  members'   support  staff,   developing   software  and
       documentation, improving procedures,  keeping mailing lists and
       other network services operating effectively,  providing BITNET
       training,   etc.   He  will assist  Mike in  site planning  and
       preparation  for   EDUCOM's  forthcoming   9370,   which   will
       eventually become the new BITNIC machine in DC, and in software
       installation and maintenance on that machine.

       "As everyone knows, management performs no useful work,  so the
       addition of  Mary Kate  and Andy  will double  the size  of the
       working BITNIC  staff,  immediately  solving all  our problems,
       right?   Well,  not quite...  We've been very fortunate to have
       had the assistance,   for most of the summer  and continuing at
       least until August  1,  of Martin Goldstein,  a  law student at
       George Washington U.;  and for a few weeks early in the summer,
       of  David Conklin,   a  student  at Carnegie-Mellon  with  some
       network  experience.    We're  now hoping  to  locate  network-
       experienced students from  the DC area schools to  fill out our
       staff,  as the  college/university year begins again  this fall
       (anyone listening out  there?).   And it may take a  day or two
       for the new staff to come up to speed.

       "Work to be completed by the  BITNIC staff,  in addition to the
       normal  activities,    includes  preparation   for  the   9370;
       installing  and testing  all the  BITNET  related software  and
       files on the  new system,  a task complicated by  the fact that
       its tape  drive will  be the one  now in  use on  the Princeton
       BITNIC machine; developing and implementing policy suggestions;
       planning  for the  BITNET-CSNET Merger,   about which  progress
       reports should soon  be again appearing on  POLICY-L;  and,  of
       course,  fixing software and  operational glitches which become
       apparent with a major staff turn-over such as we have had.

       "The BITNIC bids adieu to Scott  Early,  and to Ricky Hernandez
       (who   divided    his   time   between   EDUCOM    and   BITNIC
       responsibilities);   both  have  left   Princeton  for  greener
1

                                                               Page 14


       pastures.    Scott is  now in  Texas  with the  Superconducting
       Supercollider,   and  Ricky  has  started  his  own  consulting
       business in  New York City.    We wish  them well in  their new
       careers."


       * South Florida  Environmental Reader Ã•from A.   E.  MossbergÃ¥:
       The South  Florida Environmental  Reader is  primarily intended
       for  people  in   South  Florida  to  keep   abreast  of  local
       environmental  issues.   The  newsletter   is  published  on  a
       fortnightly  basis,  and  distributed  both electronically  and
       physically.   To receive  the  electronic  edition,  send  your
       request to SFER@UMIAMI.
1

                                                               Page 15


        *********
       *         *  New Mailing Lists
       *     *****
       *    ***  *  edited by Christopher Condon
       *   ***   *
       *  ***    *  Yale University
       *****     *
       *         *  Send list announcements to NEW-LIST@NDSUVM1
        *********

       Each of  the lists described here  is maintained on  a LISTSERV
       machine unless otherwise  noted.  To subscribe to  one of these
       lists  you  would  send  the   following  command  to  the  the
       appropriate server via mail or message.

                      SUBSCRIBE listname Your_full_name

       For example,   if your  name is  Kristen Shaw  and you  want to
       subscribe to  a list  described as  "DIAPERS@YALEVM" you  would
       send the following command to LISTSERV@YALEVM:

                       SUBSCRIBE DAIPERS Kristen Shaw

       To  make contributions  to  the list  you  would  send mail  to
       DIAPERS@YALEVM.   Please note that this is just and example and
       to  my  knowledge there  are  no  mailing lists  about  diapers
       (although you never know).

       *****

       MLA-L@IUBVM  - Music Library Association

       Indiana University is  now hosting a mail  distribution service
       for the Music Library Association on  a trial basis.   The name
       is MLA-L.

       We intend that  the list be used for various  activities of MLA
       that   can  benefit   by  wide-scale   distribution  (such   as
       announcements of deadlines for NOTES  and the Newsletter,  news
       items, general inquiries about MLA activities, etc.).  The list
       could also be used for reference inquiries, and other topics of
       interest to the music library community.

       The list will  initially be limited to  mail distribution.   No
       archives  will  be  maintained   and  no  file/document  server
       capability will be  utilized (these additional features  may be
       considered at a later time).
1

                                                               Page 16


       AREXX-L@UCF1VM   - Amiga REXX
       TSO-REXX@UCF1VM  - TSO REXX
       PC-REXX@UCF1VM   - Personal REXX

       In addition  to REXXLIST,  the  existing VM/SP  REXX discussion
       list,   3 new  lists  have been  created  to  discuss the  REXX
       programming language.  They are AREXX-L (for Amiga REXX users),
       TSO-REXX (for TSO), and PC-REXX (for Personal REXX) users.


       STATLG-L@SBCCVM  - Neon-Sign Baseball Statistic Leauge

       A BITNET rotisserie league for the ultimate baseball fans.  The
       Neon  Sign Stat  League (NSSL)   is  a head-to-head  rotisserie
       league which pits fan against fan in the goal of assembling the
       best baseball team from among  ML players.   Weekly performance
       is determined based upon player performance and wins-losses are
       determined by comparing two teams  which 'play' each other each
       week.   Two  or three  NSSL seasons are  played during  each ML
       season.  Choosing lineups and trading players requires strategy
       and  a lot  of luck.    Users interested  in Rotisserie  League
       Baseball are invited to subscribe.


       KIDSNET@CCNYSCI - A Global Network for Children

       Businesses and universities  have come to appreciate  the value
       of electronic data networks.   The inexpensive technology which
       underlies  these networks  could  be of  equal  value for  pre-
       college  education.   I  propose that  we  should provide  this
       facility  to the  world's  children  by establishing  a  global
       network for the use of children and teachers in grades K-12.

       Reading and writing  provides us with the  means to communicate
       on a global level.  Electronic networks provide an immediacy to
       global communication and allow us to sort the resulting flow of
       information.  This lets us direct our remarks to an appropriate
       audience and gain  access to information on any  subject we may
       seek.

       If we  begin to teach reading  and writing in  conjunction with
       the use of an electronic network, we will provide children with
       a new  global outlook  as we  teach them  the skills  needed to
       exploit it.   Children who grow up with this outlook will learn
       that many  human problems are  universal and that  solutions to
       these problems may often be  found through global communication
       and   cooperation.     They  will   learn  that   knowledge  is
       distributed around the world and  that this knowledge exists to
       be shared within the human community.  Simultaneously they will
       master  the skills  which will  permit them  to distribute  and
       organize the vast  store of information that  will be available
       via electronic media.
1

                                                               Page 17


       The technology that  is required to set up  a global children's
       network already exists.   It is in the national interest of all
       developed  and developing  nations  to  extend and  apply  this
       technology.   The  establishment of a children's  network would
       give an international scope to these efforts.  It would provide
       a focus  for technological  development and  for resolving  the
       problems of language, standards, etc.  that inevitably arise in
       international communications.

       The first steps toward establishing a global children's network
       are being  taken by a  group which  may be reached  via KIDSNET
       mailing list.   If  you would like to join this  group,  send a
       note   expressing   your   interest   to   the   mailing   list
       administrator, Patt Haring, at PATTH@CCNYSCI.


       BELIEF-L@BROWNVM -  Personal Ideologies Discussion List

       This list is  designed to be a forum  where personal ideologies
       can be discussed, examined,  and analyzed.  Topics for the list
       can range from "what is good"  to "what happens after death" to
       "is there a god".

       This list  is designed to be  open to members of  ALL religious
       and political  faiths or  non-faiths;  we  do not  discriminate
       based on religion, race, sex, or sexual preference.

       The list is open for  all discussion pertaining to ideological,
       religious,  moral,   and ethical  topics.  There  are only  two
       general rules:

       1.  Treat everyone's faith as if it were as sacred as your own.
       In fact, to be safe, treat their faiths BETTER than your own.

       2.  Excessively rude, obnoxious, or abusive posting will not be
       tolerated.

       The first "rule" is really a guideline. Proselytizing is OK, so
       long as  you remember  that you  get what  you dish  out.  With
       respect to  the second  rule,  please remember  that you  are a
       professional, and professionals don't get abusive to others. If
       you violate either rule in the  opinion of the List Owners more
       than twice,  you will be asked to  stop.  If you continue to be
       abusive, you will be removed from the list.


       POSIX-FORTRAN@SANDIA.GOV - IEEE POSIX Specification

       Primarily intended  for working group  members of  IEEE 1003.9,
       the group that is involved in developing the FORTRAN binding to
       the IEEE POSIX specification.
1

                                                               Page 18


       All  requests  to  be  added to  or  deleted  from  this  list,
       problems,  questions,  etc.,  should  be sent to posix-fortran-
       request@sandia.gov.


       WP50-L@UBVM - WordPerfect 5.0

       This list is intended to be used for discussing WordPerfect 5.0
       and it's related products. Although the main focus of this list
       will  be WP  V5.0,   it will  not  be limited  to  this in  the
       beginning. Any WP Corp products can be discussed.


       SLART-L@PSUVM - Second Language Acquisition Research, Teaching

       SLART-L is  a network  for those involved  in or  interested in
       second or foreign language acquisition research and/or teaching
       (SLART).   This  list is  intended  as  a  means of  forming  a
       "community  of scholars"  in SLA.   Individuals  may choose  to
       discuss research  in progress,  "publish" papers  for feedback,
       solicit advice on teaching methods,  etc.  Anyone interested in
       issues in second or foreign  language acquisition is encouraged
       to join.


       HPMINI-L@UAFSYSB - Hewlett-Packard Minicomputers

       The University of Arkansas has added a new list, HPMINI-L. This
       list will address hardware and software issues,  as they relate
       to  the  Hewlett  Packard  9000  series  (9000/825,   9000/835,
       9000/840,   etc).    At the  present  time  we will  limit  the
       operating system to HP/UX.


       FAMLYSCI@UKCC - The Family Science Network

       The FAMLYSCI  LIST is for  researchers and scholars  whose work
       focusses on family science, marriage and family therapy, family
       sociology,   and  the  behavioral  science  aspects  of  family
       medicine.  The purpose of the  list is to enhance communication
       among family scientists and to  support research programs.  The
       list is a service provided by  the Department of Family Studies
       at the University of Kentucky.  To  join,  send your address to
       GWBROCK@UKCC.


       MDS32-L@INDYCMS - Menu Design System

       MDS32-L is a new LISTSERV list for discussion of creative ideas
       and techniques using  MDS32,  Menu Design System  from Ergodic,
       Inc., for VAX/VMS systems.
1

                                                               Page 19


       XEDIT-L@UGA - VM System Editor Discussion

       This list  has been created  for the  discussion of the  IBM VM
       System Editor  (XEDIT).  It  is not for  discusison of  the TSO
       editor, the PDF editor, QED, KEDIT, QEDIT, EVE,  VI,  or EMACS.
       If and  when XEDIT  is made  available under  TSO,  it  will be
       included  here.   REXX,   as  utilized by  XEDIT  as its  macro
       language is acceptable here also.


       COM-ALG@NDSUVM1 - Commutative Algebra Distribution List

       The  COM-ALG  list  is  intended to  be  used  for  discussion,
       inquiry,  and the dissemination of information by professionals
       in the field of commutative  algebra.   Archives of COM-ALG and
       related files  are stored in  COM-ALG FILELIST.   To  receive a
       list   of   files   send   the   command   INDEX   COM-ALG   to
       LISTSERV@NDSUVM1.


       SHAKER@UKCC  - Shakers Study List

       This interest  group is  for those  interested in  the history,
       culture,  artifacts,   and beliefs of  the Shakers  (The United
       Society of Believers).  Discussions will cover a broad range of
       subject matter including, but not limited to:  social analysis,
       history,  shaker women's studies,  antiques and furniture,  and
       organization.
1

                                                               Page 20


        *********
       *         *  Helpdesk - a Question and Answer column
       *     *****
       *    ***  *  intelligent answers by Murph Sewall
       *   ***   *
       *  ***    *  smarmy answers by Chris Condon
       *****     *
       *         *  Send your questions to BITLIB@YALEVM.
        *********


       First the  important stuff:  Murph Sewall of the University  of
       Connecticut  has  agreed to  take  over  most of  the  question
       answering  in  this column.    Every  time  someone asks  me  a
       question that I can't answer (most of  the time),  I send it to
       him and he comes back with a lucid,  informed answer.   This is
       particularly true of questions about gateways and  such,  about
       which I know only enough to get myself in trouble.


       *Q*  The  Internet  has  the   equivalent  of  listserver  type
       conferences.    I was  wondering if  you knew  what those  were
       called, and where I can get a help file on them.

       *A* Ã•ChrisÃ¥   Well,  genericly speaking,   both BITNET  and the
       Internet  have what  we call  mailing lists  and digests,   and
       LISTSERV just happens to  be the tool that we in  BITNET use to
       maintain them.   You can get a list of these mailing lists from
       LISTSERV@BITNIC by requesting the  files ARPANET SIGS01 through
       ARPANET SIGS07.   Pay particular  attention to the explanations
       of how to subscribe  and send mail to these lists,   as many of
       them have LISTSERV redistribution points.  You can also pick up
       the  file LISTSERV  GROUPS.   At  the end  of the  file list  a
       listing of  Internet mailing  lists that  are redistributed  in
       this way.


       *Q*  Is there  a  gateway between  BITNET  or  the Internet  to
       QuantumLink, and how do I use it if it exists?

       *A*  Ã•MurphÃ¥  Quantum  operates Q-Link  (for  Commodore-64's  &
       128's),  AppleLink-PE  (personal edition)   and beginning  this
       month a Macintosh Link (whether  that's part of AppleLink-PE or
       not,  I'm not sure.   Along with  Genie,  *none* of the Quantum
       services are linked  to ANY other net.   I  believe the Quantum
       services can be called over Telenet.
1

                                                               Page 21


       *Q* On  some  occasions when I use BITNET,  I  notice that some
       nodes are shut down, therefore making message- and file-sending
       to another  node not  as instantaneous as  it could  be.   Some
       servers are shut down for a whole day!

       Have you  heard about any  software developments  that re-route
       BITNET traffic around a shut-down node?  Is it possible, taking
       in  account  the amount  of  list  servers,  relays  and  links
       existing in the world?   Hey,  if AT&T can do it with telephone
       calls, I bet somebody else can do it with BITNET.

       *A* Ã•ChrisÃ¥ For the most part, there is only one way from point
       A to point B in BITNET.   Redundant links are a nice idea,  but
       they cost money,   both in fees payed for  leased lines between
       nodes,   plus the  the  leasing or  purchase  costs of  related
       equipment.


       *Q* I am thinking about creating a mailing list, but don't know
       how to start one  or who to contact,  or even  what is required
       for one. So, what do I need to do?

       *A* Ã•ChrisÃ¥ If you don't have a LISTSERV at your own node,  you
       should send a  polite request mail to  LSTSRV-M@CEARN.   One of
       the Listserv managers may be willing to take on your list.


       *Q* Is there a gateway to the international UNISYS-Network from
       BITNET? If so, how can it be used?

       *A* Ã•MurphÃ¥ Evidently UNISYS has several networks.   You need a
       specific address.

       Unisys Corporation    (UNISYS-DOM)                     UNISYS.COM
       Unisys ISF Network 10 (NET-SDC-PRC-SA)  UNISYS-ISF-10  192.26.23.0
       Unisys ISF Network 11 (NET-SDC-PRC-CR)  UNISYS-ISF-11  192.26.24.0
       Unisys ISF Network 7  (NET-SDC-PRC-NET) UNISYS-ISF-7   192.12.195.0
       Unisys ISF Network 8  (NET-SDC-PRC-SW)  UNISYS-ISF-8   192.26.21.0
       Unisys ISF Network 9  (NET-SDC-PRC-LBS) UNISYS-ISF-9   192.26.22.0
       Unisys Restion 1      (NET-UNISYS-RES1) UNISYS-RES1    192.39.11.0
       Unisys Restion 2      (NET-UNISYS-RES2) UNISYS-RES2    192.39.12.0

       To single out one record, look it up with "!xxx",  where xxx is
       the handle,   shown in parenthesis  following the  name,  which
       comes first.   Send  mail to SERVICE@SRI-NIC.ARPA with  a WHOIS
       command as the subject.  For example:

            WHOIS !UNISYS-DOM
1

                                                               Page 22


       *Q* Does anyone on  the net have a file containing  the list of
       nodes, node names,  and contact people?  I am not looking for a
       names file.  On the system we have, we cannot process that type
       of names file that we could get  from a Netserv.  I am actually
       looking for a  text file with this info from  the BITEARN NODES
       (I  think)   file  already  processed.     Any  help  would  be
       appreciated.

       There are several  separate files that contain  the information
       you want, but none of them have everything you want.   They are
       available from LISTSERV@BITNIC (the NETINFO FILELIST):

       NODES    INFO1     Nodes, sites, & systems sorted by node name
       NODES    INFO2     Nodes, sites, & systems sorted by site name
       MEMBER   SITELIST  BITNET institutions sorted by membername-USA
       STATE    SITELIST  BITNET institutions sorted by state-USA
       INTERNTL SITELIST  BITNET/EARN/NETNORTH member/country not USA
       BIRREP   LISTINGS  Appointed BITNET Instituional Reps
       TECHREP  LISTINGS  Appointed BITNET Technical Reps
       INFOREP  LISTINGS  Appointed BITNET Information Services Reps
1

                                                               Page 23


        *********
       *         *  Feedback - a Letters Column
       *     *****
       *    ***  *  edited by Christopher Condon
       *   ***   *
       *  ***    *  Yale University
       *****     *
       *         *  Send your letters to BITLIB@YALEVM... or else!
        *********


       From:    Penny Ward  
       Subject: Correction to June NetMonth

       Please credit the real author of the "Toadsuckers" poem you ran
       as the  header for the June  NetMonth.   The original  poem was
       written by Mason  Williams (yes,  the guy who  writes music for
       the Smothers  Brothers)  and  appears in  one of  his books  of
       poetry (I believe it's called The Mason Williams Reader?).

       * Ed. note:  Acknowledged.   I pulled  the poem from our online
       bulletin board, and since there was no credit, I assumed it was
       written by a frustrated Yalie.  Thanks for the info!

       While I'm at  it,  why aren't you people  writing more letters?
       If you can't write articles, at least write letters.  Sheesh!

1

                                                               Page 24


        *********
       *         *  NetMonth Policies
       *     *****
       *    ***  *  Everything you ever wanted to know...
       *   ***   *
       *  ***    *  ...but were afraid to ask.
       *****     *
       *         *  BITLIB@YALEVM
        *********


       NetMonth is a  network service publication distributed free  of
       charge to  students  and  professionals  in  BITNET  and  other
       networks. This magazine and its companion file, BITNET SERVERS,
       are the  work  of the  BITNET Services Library (BSL) staff  and
       contributors from around the network.

       BITNET SERVERS is BITNETs list of servers and services.  If you
       know of servers not listed in BITNET SERVERS, or if some listed
       are no longer available, please contact the NetMonth Editor.

       * Subscribing to NetMonth and BITNET SERVERS:

       Send  the  following  command  to  LISTSERV@MARIST  by  mail or
       messgage:

            SUBSCRIBE NETMONTH Your_full_name

       A subscriber  can delete  him/herself from  the mailing list by
       sending LISTSERV@MARIST the command:

            UNSUB NETMONTH

       Internet users may use these methods, but must address the mail
       to LISTSERV@MARIST.BITNET

       * Back issues:

       BITNET users  may get NetMonth back issues from the file server
       LISTSERV@CMUCCVMA.  For a list of  files,  send the  server the
       the command:

            INDEX NETMONTH

       * Letters to the Editor:  If  you  have  questions  or comments
       about BITNET or  NetMonth that you would like  to  see  printed
       here, mail  your letter  to BITLIB@YALEVM.  Make  sure that you
       specify in the "Subject:"  header or  somewhere  in  the letter
       that it is for the NetMonth letters column.
1

                                                               Page 25


       * Article Submissions:  The  only  requirements  for   NetMonth
       articles and columns are that they be informative, interesting,
       and concern some BITNET-related topic.  Send your articles  and
       to BITLIB@YALEVM.

       * Printing this file:  VM  users can print  this file  by using
       the "( CC" option of  the PRINT command.   VAX/VMS users should
       RECEIVE NetMonth  with a  format of  FORTRAN.

       John  McMahon  of the  NASA  Goddard  Space Flight  Center  has
       written a program or VAX/VMS users which  changes  Fortran form
       feeds in an issue of NETMONTH to ASCII form feeds.  This allows
       a  user on  a VAX/VMS  system to  RECEIVE a  copy of  NETMONTH,
       reformat  it using  this  procedure,  and  print  it using  the
       standard VMS PRINT command.

       The program is internally documented, and you can get a copy by
       sending the following command to LISTSERV@CMUCCVMA or MARIST:

            SENDME NETMONTH COM


            _
           __-
          __---    The
         __-----   BITNET
        __-------  Services
       ___________ Library                       "Because We're Here."

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