
                                         
 February                                            Volume 02
 1995                                            Number 02
                                    
                                     
                                       
                                   

                   

                        (Formally published under EMag)

    "The electronic magazine filled with Interesting & Informative Articles"

       Editor  Mark Bylok                              Data (416)663-7044
       EMail   link@tor250.org                         Fax  (416)663-4113
                                                       FidoNet  1:250/808


               Copyright 1995 by Mark Bylok, All Rights Reserved
      Views expressed do not necessarilly express the views of the Editor


 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

        TABLE OF CONTENTS
        ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~                             Page

        Editorial:  Welcome to LiNK                     1
        Letters to the Editor                           2
        Why Your Telephone Bill May Rise                3
        Russia Shows Its True Colours                   5
        Margarine is Actually White!                    6
        Why We Need a Space Station                     7
        The Players are Wrong                          10
        Picking up LiNK                                11
        LiNK Information                               12

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                        Editorial:  Welcome to LiNK
     
                               by Mark Bylok
                              (mb@tor250.org)
     
     
     Well, here it is, LiNK - "The e-magazine filled with Interesting &
     Informative articles."  Hope you guys (politically incorrect term
     referring to men and women) like the new look, although it hasn't
     changed much from EMag.  The first issue of EMag was released on
     December of '93, and through the months the magazine slowly began
     developing an identity.  LiNK is that identity, which I hope will
     continue to develop as the months continue to pass.

LiNK:95/02                        Page: 2

     Many of the e-mags that I read are filled with entertaining short
     stories, or specific news about BBSing or computers.  LiNK isn't
     like that.  I'm interested in articles you won't find anywhere
     else:  Those articles that make you say "Hmm, I didn't know that"
     or "Gee, really?".  I hope to publish some articles that will heat
     up your emotions, or others that will cause a few chuckles.
     
     I believe articles are a reflection of a certain part of the
     author, but not an entire part.  My views are very strong in
     certain areas, but I also consider myself a very fair person that
     is able to see other sides of the story.  I guess my point is:  I
     don't want LiNK to become limited to people that only agree with
     what I have to say.
     

     The magazine comes to you for free, which is great since people
     like receiving free things, but that also means I can't pay people
     to write articles.  Sure, it would be nice to receive a few dollars
     for your work, but there are other satisfactions from submitted
     your articles.  LiNK has about thirty official distribution sites,
     but there are many more bulletin boards that receive it each month
     through EP-MAG, and soon, FTP sites.  Having an article published
     in LiNK will reward you with the knowledge that hundreds of people
     will read it, and consider what you have to say ;-).
     
     Read, Enjoy, and Contribute ...

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Letters to the Editor

 From : clarge@timewarp.island.net
 To   : Emag Staff
 Subj : finally                                                                 

thanks for the file.

finally got the mag online. took a bout an hour to get it up.

i have one bitch about it thought. it took me so long to get it up and
running because the darn thing would not load locally. Finnally tried a
remote logg in and it worked.

on thing to think about for the next version of the reader.

oh one other thing could you sort the bbs list by area code. i would
make it a bit easier to read.

thanks once again for the mag.

--- rep.

The DORINFO1.DEF file that comes with the executables is actually set-up
for a local log-on, but you're right, an option should be added.  The new

LiNK:95/02                        Page: 3

door reader, ELINKDR.EXE, allows for an "L" in the parameters for local
mode.

An excellent idea for the BBS list.  As you can see I've implemented the idea
for the February issue of LiNK.

MB




To   : Mark Bylok
From : Goo
Subj : Emag

If you're wondering why your mag doesn't gain a wider following, just think
about some of your articles.  I'm referring in particular to "The Truth About
Men" by Jason Phillips.  What an embarassment.

--- rep.

I don't think you're being fair, Goo.  Jason Phillips has always written
articles that had a strange view on reality.  Sure, he might have taken
common cheap shots at men, but I got a short snicker out of it.  BTW,
LiNK (EMag) hasn't done so bad!

MB


-----------------

Send your "Letters to the Editor" to link@tor250.org or LiNK Staff at
1:250/808

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                  Why your Telephone Bill may Rise!


 Two years ago the FCC tried and (with your help and letters of
 protest) failed to institute regulations that would impose
 additional costs on modem users for data communications.

 Now, they are at it again. A new regulation that the FCC is quietly
 working on will directly affect you as the user of a computer and
 modem. The FCC proposes that users of modems should pay extra
 charges for use of the public telephone network which carry their
 data. In addition, computer network services such as CompuServ,
 Tymnet, & Telenet would also be charged as much as $6.00 per hour per
 user for use of the public telephone network. These charges would
 very likely be passed on to the subscribers. The money is to be
 collected and given to the telephone company in an effort to raise
 funds lost to deregulation. Jim Eason of KGO newstalk radio (San

LiNK:95/02                        Page: 4

 Francisco, CA) commented on the proposal during his afternoon radio
 program during which, he said he learned of the new regulation in an
 article in the New York Times. Jim took the time to gather addresses
 which are given below.

 Here's what you should do (NOW!):

 1-Pass this information on. Capture the information which contains
 the text you are reading now. Find other BBS's that are not carrying
 this information. Upload the ASCII text in a public message on the
 BBS, and  also upload the file itself so others can easily get a
 copy to pass along.

 2-Print out three copies of the letter which follows (or write yours
 down) and send a signed copy to each of the following:

 Chairman of the FCC
 1919 M Street N.W.
 Washington, D.C. 20554

 Chairman, Senate Communication Subcommittee
 SH-227 Hart Building
 Washington, D.C. 20510

 Chairman, House Telecommunication Subcommittee
 B-331 Rayburn Building

 Here's the suggested text of the letter to send:

 Dear Sir:

 Please allow me to express my displeasure with the FCC proposal
 which would authorize a surcharge for the use of modems on the
 telephone network. This regulation is nothing less than an attempt
 to restrict the free exchange of information among the growing
 number of computer users. Calls placed using modems require no
 special telephone equipment, and users of modems pay the phone
 company for use of the network in the form of a monthly bill.

 In short, a modem call is the same as a voice call and therefore
 should not be subject to any additional regulation.

 Sincerely,

 It is important that you act now. The bureaucrats already have it in
 their heads that modem users should subsidize the phone company and
 are now listening to public comment. Please stand up and make it
 clear that we will not stand for any government restriction on the
 free exchange of information.

 Please deal with this in a TIMELY manner. We can't wait and watch,
 or we will be walked over by government regulations that are trying
 to strangle us.

LiNK:95/02                        Page: 5

For more info, mail Kenn Webster at The Wild Kingdom (410)679-5642
Joppatowne, MD (1:261/1302).

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       Russia Shows Its True Colours
          
                               by Mark Bylok
                              (mb@tor250.org)
          
          
     Communism is slowly disappearing around the world.  We once had a
     cold war with a bad infection that would not go away, and now that
     the cold war is over, there are more personal matters that cause
     fighting inside countries.  Many sad examples of this can be seen
     easily, and almost all have a common theme:  Two sides destroying
     their country for small pieces of land.  It's more then that, of
     course, but none of it justifies killing.
          
     Russia is, by far, is the worst example.  When the USSR was no
     more, and a more democratic system of politics prevailed, the world
     cheered.  Most of the world, but not everyone.  My parents lived
     under communism for most of their lives, and were lucky enough to
     escape (with me) in the early 80's from Poland.  I can't thank them
     enough for that.
          
     My parents did not cheer the introduction of democracy into Russia
     because they did not believe it.  Russia would do anything for
     money, my parents had said, even by creating the illusion that
     communism was dead so the West could reward it with billions of
     dollars.  Did the money given go to help the people?  Probably not.

     Years ago Poland received millions of dollars from the West so that
     help might be brought to the people.  That money did not stay in
     Poland for very long; it was quickly rushed off to Moscow where it
     was used to build armies.  We never saw the money given to us by
     the US, and yet we now owe them money that will probably never be
     re-payed.  It's not the fault of the people, they had nothing to do
     with it, it was the fault of a communist government.

     Even now, at a time where Poland is 'free', communism rules inside
     the walls.  Not officially, of course, but never think for a minute
     that one communist gave up a good salary for democracy.  It still
     rages on in Poland, and will continue to do so like the case of a
     flue that never wants to go away.
          
     In Russia, the people might have chosen the current leader, but it
     was only a choice between one communist and another.  Their news
     stations are still monitored, and sometimes puppeteered, and only
     a few older people dare to start quiet protests.  Companies that
     were previously managed by communists are now owned by those

LiNK:95/02                        Page: 6

     communists and the civilians still work for them under the same
     conditions.  McDonald's might had entered through the iron curtain,
     and Russia might have released many hidden secrets, but it was all
     a trade-off for money.
          
     This brings me back to the original point.  My parents understood
     the tactics of communism, and understood that the communists inside
     Russia would never give up their land, and although I did not truly
     believe them at first, the recent bombing of innocent people has
     showed me the truth.  For soldiers to do battle on a field is one
     thing, but to bomb civilian targets is barbaric.  It would have
     been easier to accept it if the Russian parliament actually had
     some control over their army, but they don't seem too.  Russia has
     enough power to destroy the world, and yet I don't believe anyone
     knows which organisation is closest to the button.

     I don't blame the UN for not trying to stop the slaughter, such a
     move could quickly lead to another world war, but I blame the West
     for giving those communists a penny of our money.  The threat of
     war has not yet disappeared, and although I do not think we should
     live in fear, I also do not believe we should be ignorant to the
     facts.

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       Margarine Is Actually White!
     
                               by Mark Bylok
                              (mb@tor250.org)
     
     
     For over twenty years people in Canada have been using Margarine as
     a healthier substitute for butter.  Ok, maybe health wasn't the
     biggest issue, a lower fat content probably prevailed over any
     other reason, but that's not the point.  For these twenty years
     Margarine looked like butter, but had a strong yellow colour.  This
     was fine, who were we to dispute the colour our food.
     
     Fellow consumers, we were lied too!  Margarine is not actually
     yellow.  It seems that the majority of margarine products look very
     similar in colour as butter.  The Margarine industry spent two
     million dollars a year putting colouring into margarine in order to
     make it look yellow.
     
     Why, you might ask.  Because the government told them too!  When
     margarine first came into production the butter companies bitched
     about the product because it looked like butter.  The government
     decided to resolve this problem by forcing companies that produce
     margarine to put a yellow colouring inside the mixture.  This way,
     margarine would not look the same as butter so consumer would not
     confuse the two different products.
     
LiNK:95/02                        Page: 7

     I ask a simple question.  Are we that dumb as a society that
     reading is something beyond our capabilities.  Everyday the
     consumer is fooled through tricks that cost us money, either by the
     government or by businesses.  Instead of going after the real
     crooks (like mechanics, for example) they decide to take a special
     interest in margarine.  Some times it just makes you want to cry.
     
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                         Space Station Freedom
                                   or
                           Life in the Future

                           by Chris Cancilla


    Many people, perhaps even you..the reader, wonder WHY do we need a
Space Station.  Well, please read on and I hope that I can answer this
question.

    Space Station Freedom is essential for advancing the human
exploration of space, and Freedom is the essential next step to
accomplish this goal.  Freedom is also going to serve as a permanent
Earth-orbiting laboratory.  It will allow human beings, from many
countries, the time and capability to routinely study, develop, and
employ the potential resources available to us in space.  Aboard
Freedom, scientists and engineers will do work and research in the
microgravity environment of orbital space for a prolonged period of
time.  This research may provide the cure for a currently terminal
illness.

    The mission of Freedom will be to provide a permanent outpost where
we can learn to live and work productively in the harsh environment of
space.  We need years of experience in space, not just days, weeks, or
months.

    Freedom will provide an advanced research laboratory to explore
space and employ its resources for the benefit of all humanity.
Freedom will be a permanent multi-purpose research laboratory/outpost
in space unsurpassed in equipment and capabilities and the constant
presence of a hands-on crew for learning how to use the unique
microgravity of space, enabling the study of new materials, new
medicines, and new technologies.

    Freedom will provide the opportunity to learn to build, operate,
and maintain systems in space.  It will be an engineering test-bed
located in low Earth orbit.  Freedom will perfect our ability to live
and function, to allow development of the systems, the logistics, the
knowledge, and the talents required for the full-scale utilization and
exploration of space.

    The Schedule:

         As of today, Freedom is slated to begin it journey into the
future in early 1995, with a total of 17 shuttle missions to put the

LiNK:95/02                        Page: 8

station into orbit.  After the first four flights, the station will be
operational in the Man-Attended stage.  The station crew will use the
shuttle for its life support and quarters for a maximum of 13 days.
Then remote and automatic experiments can be set up and the continuous
flow of data to the ground links, at a rate of 50 mega-baud (50 million
bits of information per second) will be activated, till the arrival of
the next shuttle crew to modify, change out, or continue the
experiments.  In June of 1997, the Japanese Lab module will be placed
into orbit.  This module will be for research, development, and
2creation of not only new and stronger materials; but also the
redevelopment of materials that we now use.

    To give an example of this; computer speed is based on a crystal,
the speed of the crystal is..let's say...60 megahertz (60 million
cycles per second), with the microgravity environment of space, it is
theoretically possible to surpass that speed 20 fold.  The cost would,
at first, be great.  But as the process becomes more routine, the cost
would be lowered to a point were the average person will be able to
afford one of these new breed of super-computers.  To illustrate this,
let us refer to Velcro.  Developed for the space program and with a
cost of $2000 per foot.  Now however, we are reaping the benefit of the
Research and Developement programs of NASA, and Velcro is available to
ANYONE at a cost of pennies and any discount store.

    NASA is working out the problems that they will have on Freedom.
Air and Water are their main concern.  In space, unlike on Earth, when
we exhale the "old" are goes somewhere else.  Through gravity, Earth's
rotation, or wind.  But on Freedom, if an astronaut is asleep in their
quarters, when they exhale the "old" air would remain in front of their
mouth and nose.  When they inhaled they would take in the same air that
they just exhaled.  After enough times the oxygen level would fall to a
dangerously low point and the life of the astronaut would be in
jeopardy.  So, to remove this threat, NASA and Boeing are performing
research right now at the Marshall Space Flight Center in the
engineering mock-up of Space Station Freedom.  The module is sealed, as
it would be in space, and hydrogen bubbles are released in the cabin.
Their movement is monitored on a closed-circuit television to ensure
that ALL of the "old" air is cleaned on a very frequent basis.

    The other problem, water, is handled a bit differently.  The
astronauts, on the first mission, will bring up a given quantity of
water.  This water will be reused/recycled and will be used by all
subsequent residents of Freedom.  The shower, restrooms, sinks, air
conditioner, and perspiration collectors will be attached to the
recycling plant.  The restroom, solid waste, will be dehydrated and the
liquid sent to the plant and the solids sent to storage for disposal
after returning to Earth.  The water created is purer than any water
found on Earth.  One engineer said to me, "Our motto is, if you want
some tomorrow....you gotta' make some today!" He told me that with the
funniest grin on his face too!!

    Each astronaut that takes up residence aboard Freedom will be given
their own personal bedroom.  The reason for a personal room is simple;

LiNK:95/02                        Page: 9

humans need seclusion.  This way, a Freedomite can get away from the
rest of the crew and retire to their room to play Nintendo, watch TV or
a movie (tape), or read a book, sleep, or listen to music.  NASA will
secure any item, with in reason, in the room so the astronaut can have
what they want.  One stipulation though, the astronaut brings their own
personal "stuff" to be placed in the room.  This makes the personal
space, personal!  This will occur AFTER the habitation module is in
place and operational, June 1998.  After this date, there WILL be
permanent residence on Freedom for up to 6 months.  But NASA right now
is shooting for a 90 day crew rotation due to the stresses.  In space -
microgravity - your heart muscle gets smaller, your blood volume
decreases, muscle mass decreases, calcium is not needed so it leaves
your body (through urine).  These stresses can take their toll on an
astronaut as we learned from the Soviets that spent a year in the MIR
station.  Both astronauts are dead, of complication resulting from
osteoperosis.  Yes, it is the old age disease but an astronaut that
spends 6 months in space will show signs of it.  We are, at this time,
learning new ways to combat this illness, and Freedom will be the
petree dish to develop that cure/treatment.

    The capabilities of Freedom, around the turn of the century, will
be as follows:

         1)  Fully outfitted U.S., European, and Japanese laboratories.
         2)  Fully outfitted U.S. Habitation module.
         3)  Year-round life sciences, microgravity, and technology
              research.
         4)  42 International Standard Payload Racks, 28 are available
              to U.S. users.
         5)  56,000 watts total power with 30,000 watts average
              available to users.
         6)  4 person permanent crew with 2 crew persons dedicated to
              experimentation.  The crew size can increase with the
              addition of an additional Habitation module.
         7)  4 attachment points on the truss for payloads that need to
              be exposed to the harsh environment of space.
         8)  Regular shuttle resupply visits, 4-5 per year.

    Additionally, there will be an Assured Crew Return Vehicle which
will serve as a life boat in the event of an emergency.  It will be an
Apollo style capsule, and will reenter the atmosphere in the same
manner as its predecessor.

    Space Station Freedom will directly and indirectly employ about
70,000 people, tapping professional services of more than 2,000
businesses in most of the states in our country.  At this writing, 3
states are not on this list; Alaska and Hawaii due to their location,
and Arkansas because they did not want to get involved.  Alaska and
Hawaii will be joining soon.  Nothing is known as to Arkansas.  The
jobs that Freedom will create/use will contribute new ideas, new
knowledge, and new products to our economy.  Current NASA budget is a

LiNK:95/02                        Page: 10

mere 1% of the Federal Budget.  The total cost of Space Station Freedom
will be 1/700th of the Federal Budget.  This is less than HALF of the
cost of the Apollo moon exploration missions.  If we step back for a
moment and look at the new products and technologies from Apollo, even
with its limited life-span; Freedom will create technologies that even
now we are just beginning to imagine.




    SPACE STATION FREEDOM......


                              ......YOUR LINK TO AMERICA'S FUTURE !

 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           The Players are Wrong
          
                               by Mark Bylok
                              (mb@tor250.org)
          
          
     When the original news of the baseball strike came, and then the
     hockey strike, I sat on the fence.  On the one hand I felt the
     owners should keep wages down through a salary cap (luxury tax).
     On the other hand I felt the owners might be making large profits
     that they should be sharing with the players.  Both strikes have
     lasted a long time, and after some time to think about it, I
     believe the players are wrong with their demands.
          
     First off, I should say I do not believe in unions because I feel
     they take advantage of their position.  It seems to me that unions
     can be compared to bad lawyers:  They try to squeeze as much as
     they can.  Owners seem to negotiate with good faith, but the unions
     don't seem to care about the company or the workers, they just want
     to win.  The two strikes are an excellent example of that.
          
     Salary cap is necessary in both sports.  The NBA and NFL both
     implemented the idea to slow down wage increases; it's only natural
     that the MLB and NFL do the same.  Wages have increased
     astronomically in the last ten years, and they will continue to do
     so if there is no salary cap.  The richer teams might be able to
     afford it, but not every team is blessed with a large city for
     support.
          
     Free-agency is a problem as well.  With free-agency players can sit
     around and let the teams bid for them.  The players might like it,
     but again, the team with the most money will have the better team.
     Free-agency without a salary cap is insane.  At least with a salary
     cap each team is limited in how much they could bid, based on the
     money they have already spent on players.  Without it, wages could
     go as high as one team is willing to take them.
          
LiNK:95/02                        Page: 11

     I like the salary cap for one simple reason:  Equally matched
     teams.  The wage of a player does not necessarily reflect the
     players worth on the ice, but it usually does.  If each team can
     only spend thirty million dollars on player wages, this should make
     the teams very even in skill.  The NFL had its best season this
     year with twenty teams still having a chance for the play-offs in
     the final two or three weeks.  Coincidence?  I think not.
          
     Without free-agency and with a salary cap the personal skills of a
     general manager decide how good the team is through trades, not how
     much money the owners can spend.  Sure, it doesn't make for good
     business, but it makes for a good sport.  I believe that's the
     biggest disappointment for fans.  We like seeing our favourite team
     as a sport team, not a local business.  Not very many people are
     likely to cheer for their local McDonald's when they break a new
     sales record, why would they do the same for a sport business.  If
     these large leagues don't smarten up, neither the players nor the
     owners will have very much money to earn.
          
     Hockey owners backed down giving the players almost what they
     wanted (don't let them fool you saying they gave up more), we'll
     see how the MLB strike is resolved.  Personally, I wouldn't mind
     seeing some farm league players in the majors.  It might make for
     an interesting season.

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                              Picking up LiNK
     
     
     LiNK is officially released on the 1st of every month, and can be
     picked up in a variety of different ways.  The sure fire ways are:
     
     
     FidoNet
     ~~~~~~~
     
     File Requesting from FidoNet 1:250/808 under the following:
     
     LINKE     LiNK executable files and current issue (DOS & Door 
               version)
     LINK      LiNK current issue (requires executable files)
     LINKT     LiNK current issue on plain ASCII text.
     LINKA     Both the data files and plain ASCII text.
     
     
     InterNet
     ~~~~~~~~
     
     Send e-mail to "link@tor250.org" requesting issues to be delivered
     to you through e-mail.
     
     FTP site will be announced shortly.
     
LiNK:95/02                        Page: 12
     
     Software Distributing Systems
     ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
     
     Some FidoNet nodes might be able to receive LiNK through EPubNet's
     EP-MAG.
     
     
     Other
     ~~~~~
     
     BBSLIST.ASC contains a list of BBSes where issues may be picked up.
     
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                   LiNK
     
   "The electronic magazine filled with Interesting & Informartive artilces"

                       Publisher & Editor Mark Bylok
     
                    Copyright 1995, All Rights Reserved
     
     
     LiNK is a non-profit electronic magazine that has been designed to
     entertain and inform the reader.  We encourage amateur writers to
     send in their articles for future issues of LiNK.  LiNK rests the
     responsibility of plagiarism and other copyright infringements on
     the individual authors, and in no way supports any illegal
     material.  All articles and ideas sent to LiNK remain the property
     of the author, but LiNK does reserve the right to make minor
     grammar, spelling, and/or format corrections.
     
     LiNK is distributed on the 1st of every month twelve times a year.
     All articles should be submitted before the 20th of every month in
     order to insure printing in the next issue.  There is no limit on
     the topic of the article.

     Articles and/or comments on LiNK can be sent through one of the
     following means:
     
     FidoNet 1:250/808             LiNK Staff
     Data (416)663-7044            78 Fletcherdon Cres.
     Fax  (416)663-4113            Downsview, ON, Canada
                                   M3N 1S3
     
     Or you can reach us through InterNet at:  link@tor250.org


