This message consists of three parts, all related to the GEnie situation.
First is a reply to Greg on the file format, second is a discussion about using
TML as an offical distribution point, and third an excerpt of the GEnie
contract.
*** 1 ***
>Well I tried downloading some stuff on FFW over the weekend and it was
>listed as being a binary file. Now I can't seem to figure out how to
>"un-binary" it. I will try some more stuff this week.
Greg,
The files show signs that they use Apple's at GDW. It was rumored to me a
while back (some of the basic programs from JTAS) that they did, this about
confirms it. GEnie accepts two types of uploads. The first is an ASCII 7 BIT
capture upload, the second is a 8 BIT protocol upload. Any file, regardless of
content, uploaded with X[YZ]modem will be labled a binary file. Next time you
are on just <L>ook at one of the files, you will see it is a readable file.
The problems that I have encountered is that when I use a protocol to download
and I have the host name file files two things happen, the GEnie file:
TROJAN REACHES
comes out on my PC as:
TROJAN R.EAC
(Try dealing with spaces in a file name!!!! on a PC) Any way, the filename
indicates that they are using Apple ]['s or some other OS that allows spaces in
the filename, such as Macintosh. Also, the files when downloaded with protocol
are CR delimited instead of CRLF or LF or what ever. What this means, is a 6
line C program to add the LF's to the file to make Misery-DOS happy (and
conversly a clean upload to Unix).
*** 2 ***
In one of the TML messages that came through today (Sorry, but I deleted it
after reading it though I should have saved it for this reply) suggested
contacting GDW/DPG/HIWG to get them to use us as an outlet. This has merit but
there are also some problems. First, GDW is Bloomington IL. I don't know
where this is, but I would guess that they are long distance to a Usenet site.
Also if they do use Apples, then getting UUCP software for them may be
difficult. However if GEnie has a node near them, then they may be able to
Starlink or PC Pursit to somewhere.
Some of the benifits to them are:
1) Dedicated Players/Play testers
2) Limited yet unlimited distribution (Limited because there aren't thousands
of us, but unlimited because any one can sign up and the distribution is
wide)
3) Ease of communications to out of town people.
Now we need a liason to go between GDW and TML. We also will need some facts
about us, a marketer per se. We need a spokesman who knows this list well and
can sell them on us. Still if we get them, we need to have a distrubution plan
other than just mailing to everone on the list. I recommend setting up a mail
file server (since not every one can dialup UUCP or FTP) where files and
indeices can be requested. Volunteers?
*** 3 ***
The following is a portion of the GEnie User Agreement:
GEnie Services Terms and Conditions
1.GEnie Services Provided
General Electric Company, acting through its GE Information Services
division (the "Company"), agrees to provide you access in the United
States to the computer services designated by Company as comprising the
GEnie Service subject to the Terms and Conditions contained in this
Agreement. You agree to provide all telephone and other equipment
necessary to gain access to the GEnie Service.
2.Access to the GEnie Service
You are responsible for the confidentiality and the use of your User ID
and Password, for all charges to your account, and for any violation of
this Agreement by anyone using your account. You must immediately notify
the Company if your User ID or Password is lost or stolen, or if you have
reason to believe that someone has obtained unauthorized access to them.
The Company provides other computer services to subscribers to its
MARK III Service using the same resources and equipment as it utilizes
in providing access to the GEnie Service. You acknowledge that access
may be terminated by Company in preference to the availability of
uninterrupted, efficient and high quality computer services to MARK III
Service clients.
3.Proprietary Rights
All of the information, material and software available for access
through the GEnie Service is the property of the Company or of its
information providers. You agree not to copy, publish, commercially
exploit, sell, transmit or otherwise reproduce that information,
material or software, except as may be expressly permitted by the Company
or the information provider at the time access is made available to you,
and then only on condition that you reproduce and include therein any
copyright notice or other proprietary legend contained in the information,
material or software at the time of access. You acknowledge that any
violation of this restriction is an infringement of copyright or other
proprietary rights.
[4 thru 6 deleted]
7.General
a. This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of Maryland.
Any cause of action based on or arising as a result of this Agree-
ment must be instituted within one year after the cause of action has
first accrued or such suit shall be barred.
b. The Company reserves the right to monitor access to the GEnie Service
by its subscribers and to remove, at its sole discretion, without
notice, any information, material or software which it believes to be
unlawful or objectionable.
c. The access to the GEnie Service permitted to you under this Agreement
is not transferrable and is subject to any credit limits which may be
established for your credit card or by the Company.
d. This Agreement (including the GEnie Service Price Schedule and any
mutually accepted Supplements) constitutes the complete and exclusive
agreement with you regarding the GEnie Service and supersedes all
prior communications, representations or understandings.
So you with the ability to read this (sorry, I do computereeeezzzzzzz, not
legaleeeezzzzzee) may be able to make heads or tails out of it. But it seems
to be rather "well written".
Rob
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