Chapter 4: Hobby, games and fun

=============================== * Programs, game and fun Online adventure games. The virus threat. * Hobbies. Holiday travels. Collecting stamps or coins. Roots, music, and online shopping. Online services have one thing in common with newspapers, magazines and books. What they offer, varies from provider to provider. The next chapters will focus on the contents of the offerings. Appendix 1 has details about how to access the major service providers. Small online services often have interesting offerings in specialized areas, and especially when they are based on local phenomena or events. They tend to be more personal. They often present their 'wares' in a local language, and offer very large collections of free software. The large online services have hundreds of thousands of users. The activity is often high. They usually attract interesting (and competent) participants to their conferences and forums, have more programs available for download and more news sources and databases to search. They generally give you a wider choice. We will focus on the large international services. These are available from anywhere without too much effort, and using them comes surprisingly cheap. Therefore, please remember that this book just covers the top of the iceberg. Cheaper services may be found elsewhere, and they may even be better tuned to your particular areas of interest. Locating game software ---------------------- The fastest, easiest and cheapest is to call an online service to download game programs. You'll find an overwhelming number of programs for all types of microcomputers. Many games are free. We call them "Public Domain" or "Freeware" programs. Others are distributed free. You do not have to pay to get them and try them out. If you want to use them, however, the copyright owner expects you to pay a fee. We call them "shareware" or "user supported" programs. When the game has been transferred to your personal computer, you can play without worries about communications costs, or the busy signal on your phone line. My favorite game is shareware. The name is Arachnid. It is an MS Windows solitaire game (patience) made by SP Services, P.O. Box 456, Southampton, SO9 7XG, England. The desired registration fee is UKP 15.00 (English pounds). You can download the program from my board as WINCARD.EXE. The file is 106 kilobytes large. WINCARD.EXE is a special distribution file, which contains three games and all supporting files. The EXE extension may fool you into thinking that it is a program, and in a way it is. The file is a self-extract file, meaning that you just enter "WINCARD" on an MS-DOS computer to extract the game files from the "package." Games are usually distributed in such distribution files. All files used by a game (or several games) is put into one file by special software, and compressed in size. This makes retrieval of programs easier and cheaper. You do not have to download many related files individually. The transfer takes less time. (Read about how to extract programs from distribution files in appendix 3). You will find some of the largest collections of games on the North American services CompuServe and EXEC-PC BBS. You will also find many throughout the Internet. | TRICKLE is a large collection of public domain and shareware | | programs for MS-DOS, CPM, and other computers. For information | | about how to use TRICKLE, send a message through Internet to | | | | [email protected] | | | | In the TEXT of the message write | | | | /pdget pd:simtel20.inf | | | | An information file will be sent to your electronic mailbox. | | (Read the chapter about electronic mail and appendix 1 for | | more information.) | | | | If TRICKLE is not enough, try Archie. It is the Internet | | archive server listing service. The Archie database maintains | | a list of roughly 1.5 million files containing 100 Giga- | | bytes (that is, 100,000,000,000 bytes) of information | | available from over 800 anonymous FTP archive sites. | | You can search this database by email to find where files | | are located. Some Archie systems maintain a list of libraries | | all over the world, while others concentrate on a more limited | | geographical area. | | Once Archie has told you where desired programs and files | | are located, you can retrieve them by telnet, anonymous FTP, | | of FTPmail. Read "File transfers through the Internet" in | | chapter 12 for details. | | For information about using Archie, send mail to one of the| | following addresses (see appendix 4 for more options): | | | | [email protected] (Canada) | | [email protected] (Finland) | | [email protected] (Australia) | | | | Put the word HELP in the body of the mail | | | | Getting programs by email is a three-step process: | | (1) Use Archie to find file names and where they are stored, | | (2) Send a message to [email protected] to have them | | retrieved and forwarded to you by email, and | | (3) Use a utility program to convert the file to a useful | | format. (See chapter 12.) | | | | Check out JVArcServ for an Archie-alike service on FidoNet. | Chances are that online services in your area also have many programs to offer. Most free bulletin boards have more software than you'll ever get around to try. Usually, there is a natural specialization between boards. Those using the Unix operating system, have the largest number of programs for such machines. Those running on MS-DOS computers, have more programs for such computers. Some games are trite and bad. Others are brilliant. There are ladder games, games challenging your responses (racer car driving, flight control, war games, subsea games), electronic versions of traditional games like Backgammon, Yatzy, chess and bridge, educational games (geography, mathematics and history), puzzles, fractal programs (drawing beautiful pictures on your screen), psychological tests, text-based adventure games, and other strange and funny creations. Here is something for any taste or belief. If you want to get rich in a hurry, pick programs that increase chances of winning horse race bets, or other "real world" money winning games. If you're into beautiful girls, fill your hard disk with picture files in GIF, PCX or other graphics formats. (Sorry ladies, there are not many pictures of naked boys around.) You'll also find software that will display the pictures that you just retrieved. Keen users of the more popular games often want to swap tricks and discuss experiences: Super Nintendo players regularly meet on the SNES mailing list (on [email protected]). To join, send your subscription request to: [email protected] . For chess, try the Chess Discussion List (CHESS- [email protected]) unless Chinese Chess (on [email protected]) is what you're looking for. CompuServe has a Chess forum (GO CHESSFORUM) with message sections called: Chess Basics, Theory & Analysis, News Wire, Hardware/Software, Casual Games, Electronic Knights, Oriental/Variants, Tourneys (Open), USCF Rated Games, Team Play, and Time Out. Usenet excels when it comes to games: rec.gambling Articles on games of chance & betting. rec.games.board Discussion and hints on board games. rec.games.board.ce The Cosmic Encounter board game. rec.games.bridge Hobbyists interested in bridge. rec.games.chess Chess & computer chess. rec.games.design Discussion of game design related issues. rec.games.empire Discussion and hints about Empire. rec.games.frp Discussion about Role Playing games. rec.games.go Discussion about Go. rec.games.hack Discussion, hints, etc. about the Hack game. rec.games.misc Games and computer games. rec.games.moria Comments, hints, and info about the Moria game. rec.games.mud Various aspects of multi-users computer games. rec.games.pbm Discussion about Play by Mail games. rec.games.pinball Discussing pinball-related issues. rec.games.programmer Discussion of adventure game programming. rec.games.rogue Discussion and hints about Rogue. rec.games.trivia Discussion about trivia. rec.games.video Discussion about video games. rec.games.video.arcade Discussions about coin-operated video games. With so many games and programs around, it is difficult to stay current about new programs and new versions of old ones. Consider subscribing to the MS-DOS Archive Additions (one-way) information service. Internet MS-DOS archive managers use it to announce new additions to their collections. To subscribe, send a message to [email protected] with this command in the body of the message: subscribe msdos-ann These announcements are also posted to the Usenet newsgroup called comp.archives.msdos.announce . | It is probably easier for you to relate to references like | | "rec.games.video on Usenet," than to [email protected]. | | References to BITNET mailing lists are made in various ways | | throughout the book, just as it is online. This is the basic | | rule: | | | | All BITNET mailing lists are 'managed' by a LISTSERV program, | | which handles all subscription requests. When you read a | | reference like [email protected], then that means that | | a subscription request must be set to the LISTSERV at the | | INDYCMS computer on BITNET. Mail to the forum, however, must | | be sent to [email protected] to be forwarded to the | | other members. | | | | For more information about these strange address codes, and | | how to use them, read about BITNET in appendix 1. You may | | find it useful to read about email addresses in Chapter 7. | | | | All BITNET mailing lists can be used by email through the | | Internet. Several BITNET hosts also have Internet addresses. | | Example: [email protected] can also be reached as | | [email protected] . When dual addresses are given, | | Internet users should use the Internet address, while BITNET | | users should use the BITNET address. | | | | Note: In cases where a BITNET mailing list has dual addresses, | | we have usually given the Internet address. If you are on | | BITNET, and using these addresses are difficult or impossible, | | ask your local postmaster for help. | Computer viruses ---------------- Few online users ever live to see or experience a computer virus, but they do exist. So, read this: A virus is a small, hidden computer program that can cause the loss or alteration of programs or data, and can compromise their confidentiality. It can spread from program to program, and from system to system, without direct human intervention. The chance of your computer being infected is small, but you're never safe. Therefore, download a program for virus detection and identification, like VIRUSSCAN from McAffee Associates, 4423 Cheeney Street, Santa Clara, CA 95054-0253, U.S.A. They also have virus disinfection programs (for MS-DOS computers). For more about viruses, subscribe to [email protected]. CompuServe has the Mac New Users Forum (with a a Virus Clinic section), the McAfee Virus Help Forum, the Symantec AntiVirus Forum, and more. FidoNet has a VIRUS echo. ILINK has VIRUS-I. Usenet has bit.listserv.valert-l (Virus Alert List), and comp.virus . Online games ------------ If you're into games, why not investigate online adventure games? There are many alternatives. Prestel (England) offers TRASH, an environmental multi-user game with a futuristic theme and full of humor. Up to 64 persons can play simultaneously. " ...Callers play out the role of pandimensional refuse disposal officers, whose primary aim in life is to clean up the multiverse, as the Trash environment is called." "With a diverse range of 'psionic powers', which vary from the nasty (pyrokinesis) to the gentle (faith healing), at their command, Trash players roam across dimensions and universes, completing various tasks." Bulletin boards throughout the world invite you to role playing games. Some have graphics, music and sound effects. Dungeons & Dragons is a popular choice. On EXEC-PC, play Startrek. Select an identity and "play it out" according to its character. If you're a real afficionado, check out rec.arts.startrek.info on Usenet or the list [email protected] (write [email protected] to subscribe). Advanced players swap tricks on [email protected]. On many BBSes, MUD is a most popular game. | Multi-User Dungeons (MUD) is a structured and user-modifiable | | online environment, which allows users not only to interact | | with each other, but to do role-playing, build and furnish | | living areas and interaction areas, extend and create the | | interactive "space" and the rules for using that space. | Popular choices on CompuServe are strategy games like The Island of Kesmai and Megawars. One game can last for weeks at a time. On CIX (England), many prefer the multi-user dungeon game DiscWorld. If you prefer sport fantasies in the armchair, check out GEnie. They offer Rotisserie League Baseball. Decide what team player to be, and join in a match of American baseball. Nintendo offers online games through the Famicom Networks in Japan and the U.S. Your PC must have a special graphics card to play games like GO and Shogi, a Japanese game of chess. Chat ---- Chat, or "keyboard talking," is a popular attraction, and in particular on the large online services. Your first attempt will probably be a strange experience. When may people talk simultaneously in chat mode, incoherent sentences seem to fly over your computer screen. It takes some training to be able to read what each of them is saying. CompuServe's Citizen Band Simulator (GO CB) is an electronic version of the hams' short-wave radio. It has 72 CB Simulator channels. You can chat with anonymous members, have fun and find new keypals. On EXEC-PC's Chat and Entertainment System up to 64 users can talk simultaneously. GEnie calls their service Livewire CB. On BIX, look for CBIX. Some users are serious about chatting. Several large companies are heavy users. Although this kind of talking is a slow process, it has advantages. It is easy to document the discussion. People from places geographically far apart can meet at a low cost to discuss. Some online services charge less for chats than for other services. My hobby -------- There are online forums for most hobbies: collection of stamps and coins, genealogy, music, holiday travels, skiing, purchase of consumer electronics, video, filming, and more. Those you meet in the clubs share your interests. They come to exchange information and experiences, to listen, swap stamps or coins, participate in club auctions, and exploit favorable group discounts when buying things for their hobby. In these clubs, the main attraction is the open messages that people write to each other. Many clubs also have libraries filled with special software (like data base programs for collectors) and information files. Coins (on [email protected]) is a forum for discussion of Numismatics, the study of coins, American and International. Paper currency is also a welcome topic, but trading is not allowed. To subscribe, send a message to [email protected] . Music ----- ILINK, an international exchange of conferences between bulletin boards, has a forum for country music lovers. It presents itself in these words: COUNTRY MUSIC Country & Western music including bluegrass and other related forms. Discussion of artists, techniques, instruments & musicians. Host: John Stewart One oasis of civility in the BBS maelstrom is the 150-board ILINK network -- recently renamed from InterLink. Unlike most BBS networks, ILINK carefully evaluates each board before permitting membership. "We are very selective -- some say overly selective," says ILINK's international host Andy Keeves. Choosiness keeps ILINK small but upholds the decorum of its message bases. Usenet has rec.music.country.western . FidoNet has 60S_70S_PROGROCK about the progressive rock music of the 60's and 70's, gospel music in CHR_GSPL_MUSIC, a club for selling and buying between musicians (MUSICIAN'S_SERVICES), and (MUSIC_COMP_101) for aspiring composers. CompuServe has a bunch of forums. Check out the Music/MIDI sections in the Amiga and Atari ST Arts forums. The latter is a full Music/MIDI forum. The Coin/Stamp/Collectibles Forum has a section for music collectors. CompuServe's RockNet forum has the following structure: Available message sections: Available file libraries: 0 General/Misc. 0 General Misc 1 Rock Music 1 Rock Music 2 Rock Radio 2 Rock Radio 3 Reviews/LK 3 Reviews 4 Q&A/Help 4 Q&A/Help 5 Rock Film & Video 5 Rock Film & Video 6 RockLetters 6 RockLetters 7 Trends 7 Trends 8 Heavy Metal 8 Heavy Metal 9 Old Wave 9 Old Wave 10 New Music 10 New Music 11 CD Hotline 11 Compact Discs 12 Green, Village 12 Graphics/Programs You can tailor your visits to RockNet to your personal interests. If you're into Heavy Metal, limit your readings of messages to those in section 8, and possibly 3 and 7. The Music and Performing Arts Forum (GO MUSICARTS) is another interesting place on CompuServe. Converse with fellow music fans about on topics like classical, jazz/blues, Big Band, country/folk and religious music, ballet/dance, drama and more. MIDI is discussed on several bulletin boards, including in conferences distributed by RelayNet. Classical music forums can be found on most larger services. Try CLASSM-L on [email protected]. For jazz, try the ILINK conference JAZZ, rec.music.bluenote on Usenet, MILES on [email protected] (about Miles Davis), or BLUES-L at [email protected] . Another jazz oriented list, SATURN on [email protected], is for discussing the free-jazz big band leader, Sun Ra. Network-Audio-Bits is an electronic magazine bringing reviews and information about rock, pop, new age, jazz, funk, folk music and other genres. (Write [email protected] to join.) The Music Newsletter offers reviews and interviews. Subscribe by email to [email protected] using the command "SUBSCRIBE UPNEWS Your-full-name." | On BITNET mailing lists, you subscribe by using the command | | "SUB Your-full-name" in the body of your | | email. | | | | There are also mailing lists on Unix workstations, PCs, and | | microVaxen. These may require that you write the subscribe | | command in full ('SUBSCRIBE'), or use other commands. | To get the "Music List of Lists," an overview of music oriented mailing lists, send email to [email protected] . GRIND (write [email protected]) focuses on discussions about grindcore/death metal/heavy thrash music. PRIMUS is about the funk/rock band Primus (write to [email protected]). KLARINET (on [email protected]) is a network bringing news, information, research and teaching items of interest, and other related information for clarinet players, teachers, students, and enthusiasts. "Backstreets" on UUCP is for those who love the music of Bruce Springsteen ([email protected]). "Eclipse" (eclipse- [email protected]) focuses on Pink Floyd and his music. If a fan of Jimi Hendrix, join "hey-joe" ([email protected]). In "brass," the topic is brass band music (write to brass- [email protected] for access). "J-Pop" ([email protected] via UUCP) has discussions about Japanese pop/rock of today. Wine and food ------------- Some people would rather fill their stomachs than their ears. They call CompuServe for the Cooks Online forum (for gourmets) and the Bacchus Wine Forum (for their throats). BITNET has the mailing list "Eat" (EAT-L@VTVM2), a club for FoodLore/Recipe Exchange. In J-FOOD-L (J-FOOD-L@JPNKNU10 on BITNET) they discuss Japanese food and culture. If your interest is more academic, subscribe to FOODWINE (on [email protected]). It is for those seriously interested in the academic study of food and its accompaniments in the 1990's, including a variety of disciplines, such as marketing, communications, hospitality, consumer affairs, hotel and catering management. Usenet has rec.food.cooking, rec.food.recipes, rec.food.drink, rec.food.restaurants, and rec.food.veg for vegetarians. On FidoNet, check out INTERCOOK for words of wisdom on International Cooking. On ILINK and RelayNet, look for CUISINE. That is where we found the following recipe for Mexican Meatloaf: 2 lb Ground Beef 1 ea Bell Pepper, Diced 10 1/2 oz Cream Chicken Soup 10 oz Cheddar Cheese 4 oz Green Chilies, Diced 1 ea Onion, Chopped 8 oz Taco Sauce 1 pk Tortillas 4 oz Mushrooms (fresh optional) 2 ea Jalapen"'s (to taste)