Fido(tm) Bulletin Board and FidoNet(tm) Network 7 Sept 85
Fido Software
2269 Market St. #118
San Francisco CA 94114
Fido is a software system that contains a full
featured Bulletin Board System and a non-realtime Packet
Switched Electronic Mail system within one program. Fido
uses the hierarchical file structure of MSDOS version 2 or
3. The basic features are:
Fido Bulletin Board System:
- Absolute security
- Unlimited number of users
- Multiple message and file areas
- Full set of message commands
- Eight file transfer protocols
Users, commands, message and file areas all have
seperate privilege levels; these can be intermixed to allow
free access to all areas, limited access to some areas, or
locking each user into a specific area.
Fido uses pathname strings for accessing all disk
files; this affords complete control of file uploads,
downloads, work files and messages. Pathnames are
transparent to the user.
FidoNet:
FidoNet is a packet switch electronic mail system
contained within Fido. It supports almost any network
topology; amorphous, ring, star, or any mixture. Any node
can act as host for one or more nodes, to any practical
number of levels deep. Routing and hosting is controlled via
text files; there is an English Language route processor
available in the public domain. Routing is chosen manually;
FidoNet executes it automatically, with error handling and
error recovery, and a full log file of net activity.
FidoNet is organized into Nets, Regions and Nodes. A
node is an individual FidoNet system. A net is a group of
FidoNets in a local calling area; a net provides many
advantageous services. Regions are FidoNet nodes in a
geographical area that cannot yet take advantage of packet
routing within a local calling area.
FidoNet supports up to 32767 regions and nets, each
containing up to 32767 nodes.
There are currently over 40 nets and regions in the
continental US; others are in Indonesia, Sweden, England,
The Netherlands, etc. Any FidoNet may access any other
FidoNet in the world, usually overnight. Nets and regions
are added constantly; please obtain a current NodeList file
for the latest listings. The NodeList is published weekly.
Commercial Use of Fido
For all commercial uses, except as noted below, all
that is required is to purchase a copy of Fido from Fido
Software. This provides you with a diskette, a printed
manual, and unlimited updates (see Obtaining Fido). If you
will have a "small" number of installations (under 5), make
copies as necessary. You need not purchase a copy for each
site (though Fido Software wouldn't mind if you did ...)
If you are to have a large number of installations,
please write Fido Software at the address below for special
arrangements.
Volunteer run, not for profit organizations
(irregardless of any non-profit status) serving their
community can use Fido freely; they can either purchase one
copy to get the update capability, or download it for free
and maintain it themselves.
Obviously Fido Software relies on your honest
evaluation of the installation. The above scheme is
suggested because it is simple and non-obnoxious to both you
and Fido Software. Please contact Fido Software if you have
any questions.
Purchasing a copy of Fido is considered by me to be
authorization for commercial use.
Please note that these are guidelines; it is not the
policy of Fido Software to define rigid or unreasonable
licensing policies, and in any case policies of any kind are
nearly impossible to enforce. It is up to you to determine
what type of installation you have, and purchase copies or
not as the case may be.
Fido Software
2269 Market St. #118
San Francisco CA 94114
Obtaining Fido
The Fido/FidoNet software can be obtained by
downloading it, for free, from Fido #1 or any other system,
or directly from Fido Software. Purchasing Fido enables you
to get unlimited updates for a small fee.
The following are the only computers and modems
supported at this time. Fido runs under MSDOS 2.00 or later
only and will not be ported to any other DOS.
COMPUTERS SUPPORTED
IBM PC, XT, Jr. and AT and HARDWARE clones
DEC Rainbow 100 (MSDOS 2.05 and later)
Otrona Attache 8:16
Sanyo 555
Victor 9000
MODEMS SUPPORTED
DC Hayes Smartmodem 1200 and clones
DC Hayes Smartmodem 2400 and clones
US Robotics Courier 2400
Racal Vadic VA212
DEC DF03
Ventel MD-212 with WECO EPROM
Updates
Updates are provided to Fido purchasers; downloaders
must obtain their own updates. You can receive an update at
any time by returning your original diskette in a returnable
diskette mailer plus $20.00. You will receive the latest
distribution diskette, plus any errata sheets for the
manual.
New manuals are not included with updates, though
errata sheets are. New manuals are released on major
revision changes (9 to 10, 10 to 11, etc).
The cost of a manual purchase may be applied to
purchasing the software.
Ordering
Specify what computer you want it for; if you don't,
the IBM version will be shipped. Please do not order for
machines not listed above.
-- NEW PRICES: 1 SEPT 1985 --
Fido and FidoNet system, all versions : $100.00
CA orders add 6.5% sales tax : $ 6.50
Printed Manual only : $ 35.00
Software Update (plus orig. diskette) : $ 20.00
Fido Software Fido's Board
2269 Market St. #118 FidoNet 125/1
San Francisco CA 94114 415/864-1418
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