July-2005 Newsletter Contents [1] SDF Compilation III submissions wanted [2] New 'setvmail' feature for MetaARPA members [3] New increased quotas for ARPA and validated users [4] SDF @ VCF 8.0 in Mountain View California, November 5th & 6th [5] THXMOO - A different kind of MOO [6] How can SDF help you? How can you help SDF? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [1] SDF Compilation III submissions wanted The SDF Compilation Volume III is now looking for original spoken word and music of all genres to be released in January of 2006. This is an annual compilation that is used to show case talent in our community. Compilation I and II are still available for $6 ppd via the 'order' command. For more information about the compilation, please see: http://sdf.lonestar.org/index.cgi?tour/compilations/vol3 [2] New 'setvmail' feature for MetaARPA members MetaARPA members may now toggle off reception for email @freeshell.org and/or @sdf.lonestar.org via the 'setvmail' command to help reduce the amount of UCE they might receive at SDF. There are nearly 50 domains available to MetaARPA members that can be used for receiving email. With these options in mind, it is still very important that you do not share your address in public places where spammers might harvest them. [3] New increased quotas for ARPA and validated users In light of the recent confusion regarding the additional '100mb' volunteer quota in 'gopherspace', a system wide change in quotas has been made. Beginning July 1st, 2005, users will have an additional 20mb gopher quota added to their 20mb web, 20mb mail, 20mb home quota and ARPA members will have an additional 100mb gopher quota added to their 100mb web, 100mb mail and 100mb home quota. Likewise, TWEAK members will have a 400MB initial 'chunk' rather than a 300MB initial chunk. For TWEAK members who have paid for 400MB, please contact me (smj) about getting your membership adjusted. If you are happy with this change, please show your support to SDF by sending in a donation via paypal: support@freeshell.org or to our mailbox: SDF PO BOX 1270 Bellevue WA 98009-1270 with the memo 'gopher quota increase!' - Thank you! [4] SDF @ VCF 8.0 in Mountain View California, November 5th & 6th Once again, the old AT&T 3b2/500 that served as SDF will be on display at the Vintage Computer Festival in Mountain View California, November 5th and 6th at the Computer History Museum. SDF members who attend the VCF are encouraged to wear their SDF tee shirts (type 'order' to get yours). Also, the Computer History Museum has offered a special private tour for SDF members only. If you are interested, please participate on the 'bboard' in the forum. For those who cannot make it, the machine will be available via the INTERNET for remote access. Lets make SDF's presence known at VCF 8.0! More details about the festival can be seen at http://vintage.org [5] THXMOO - A different kind of MOO THXMOO is a new project that has just gotten started on SDF. A MOO is known as a 'Multi User Dungeon, Object Oriented'. MOOs gained popularity in the mid 90s, but sort of fell into obscurity. THXMOO will have a unique, original engine that will focus it more with human interaction with artificial intelligence in MOO like game play. The MOO will be based and evolved on the story line of THX-1138, a post world war III world in which humans live underground and have become dependent on media, perscription drugs and religion. There is currently a discussion regarding the preliminary design on the 'bboard' under . The domain 'thxmoo.org' has been registered and has some basic info .. with more to be posted. The OpenLISP author Christian Jullien has donated a copy of his software which was choosen for game development. OpenLISP (which implements the ISLISP 'standard lisp dialect') is available to all MetaARPA members. Documentation can be found in /usr/pkg/uxlisp [6] How can SDF help you? How can you help SDF? SDF now has an interactive 'helpdesk' which is available to ALL users. It is meant to help users get information for immediate questions or problems they might have. ARPA members are encouraged to attend the helpdesk and help other users who might drop by. Type 'man helpdesk' for full details about how the helpdesk works. Please note that software updates or install requests are still handled via the 'bboard' in the forum. If SDF should become unavailable due to a power or network outtage, check http://www.lonestar.org for news. How can you help SDF? There are several ways and many of them directly benefit you! SDF greatly benefits from donations and reoccuring membership. We can receive funds via paypal: support@freeshell.org or via our postal mailbox: SDF PO BOX 1270 Bellevue WA 98009-1270 Here is a summary of commands you can run on SDF to find out more about membership and support options: Command Description ---------------------------------------------------------------------- arpa Onetime $36 membership information meta Annual $36 'supporting member' membership dba Annual $30 mysql database membership vpm Multiple mailboxes, SMTP auth, $20/year vhost Same as VPM but also includes webhosting for a domain tweak Allows for a custom tailored quota, $20/year pledge Displays info on pledges to SDF, allows you to pledge order The SDF fundraiser store. Also please see: http://sdf.lonestar.org/index.cgi?store Details about each membership are displayed when you type the above commands. Also, details can be found on http://sdf.lonestar.org. Thank you guys for supporting SDF in our 18th year!