Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!ncrlnk!ncr-sd!hp-sdd!hplabs!well!crunch From: crunch@well.UUCP (John Draper) Newsgroups: comp.misc Subject: Soviet Access to Usenet Message-ID: <7649@well.UUCP> Date: 13 Nov 88 21:17:16 GMT Reply-To: crunch@well.UUCP (John Draper) Organization: Whole Earth Lectroinic Link, Sausalito, CA Lines: 155 Hi, I recently returned from the Soviet Union, Met a LOT of programmers, Educators, and their people of Technology. There is a LOT of amazing changes goiong on over there right now. It's not the usual rhetoric of Glasnost and Peristroika, it's more than that. I was so inpired as the results the trip, that I'm just about to publish my experiences while in the USSR. It was nothing short of Amazing, and contains very useful information on setting up Joint Ventures or study groups. It dissolves a LOT of myth about the Soviet Union, and covers all the trivia with a Hackers eyes view of the Soviet Union, and Soviet Hackers Lifestyles, which are very MUCH similar to ours. Be looking for it HERE in "comp.misc" as soon as I finish it. Contrary to popular belief, Modems are NOT illegal in the USSR, instead they are very much prized posessions. Anyone can own one, IF they can get them. Geeee!!! Lets start a Modem Drive...!!! Just kidding... But really!! But can we DO this on Usenet. Hmmm Probably not. :-| There are UNIX sites that exist in the Soviet Union, but only a FEW are using UUCP. I have connections that can give me more information on UNIX sites in the USSR, I just need to know what questions to ask. I have heard a LOT of talk about adding Soviet Sites to the UUCP network but have heard nothing but VAPORWARE. Does anyone out there in Net land WANT to add Soviet sites?? I can think of a hundred reasons why!! not to mention what it would do towards World Peace. Imagine day-to-day communication with Soviet programmers, hackers (I have met MANY), and Educators. They ALSO have virus problems, software piracy (Mostly OURS), and most of all, Equipment Shortages. They get payed MUCH less than we do, and have the Social status of a clerk or secretary. But their style of programming is totally amazing. Perhaps later, I can give you some examples. For instance, when they got infected by the IBM-PC virus, they probably said... Hmmmm!! Whats going on here?? Go into Debug, chase through the IBM-DOS or operating system code, located it, and remove it. It's surprising how MANY Soviet people who have PC's know how to do this. They think NOTHING about going into the Machine code and patching commercial products. Naturally, they have to be educated about the importance of Intellectual property, and they would ALWAYS pay for American software if they were ALLOWED to pay in Rubles. Unfurtunately, Soviets cannot pay for foreign goods with Rubles, at least not Legally. Eventually, this will change, as I was assured with my recent visit to the Soviet Union. Earlier, there had been some publications mentioning that the Russians were stealing our software. But each Soviet computer user I came in contact with, expressed to me that they would Gladly pay for software licenses and support if they were ALLOWED to pay in Rubles. One IMPORTANT consideration and policy I'm adapting, is that if I see an article worthey of sending to the Soviet Union, I will contact the origional author FIRST and obtain permission. This would usually be for long and informative articles and papers. However, I might NOT do this if I send over "Idle chit chat" discussing important issues. Another equally important consideration are the trade restrictions regulating the importation of certain kinds of computer data to the Eastern block nations. I have ordered a copy of the regs, and if anyone is interested, I'll summerize them. These were enacted by the Expost Administration Act of 1979. Surly you all must remember the Reagan Over-reaction, because the Russkies were obtaining Western Technology. I leaned that the Soviets STILL get high tech parts from OTHER countries. But WE should be careful, and take the responsibility to abide by rules. I have so informed the Soviets, and will be getting copies of THEIR rules and controls. The current topics of discussion over this link should be: a) Tips on setting up Joint Projects or ventures with the Soviets, such as a list of American institutions wanting to work with Soviets, and vice versa. b) Soviet techniques for virus prevention and removal. They apply a very **direct** solution to the problem. c) New ideas for development tools from the Soviets, they are Exceptionally good in this department. They are especially strong in Natural Language development, AI, Object Oriented Programming, and writing their OWN commercial quality programs. We have a LOT to learn from them. I know I certainly did. d) The Soviets are weak in free enterprise, and have NO experience, largely because until just recently, were NOT Allowed to. They ALSO want to start selling software, both within the Soviet Union, and to Americans. e) Soviets are also into Robotics, and factory automation. But MOST importantly, regular Soviet citizens are snapping up PC's as soon as they become available. Especially modems. f) Soviets want to PAY for American software products, but currently NO mechanism exists to allow this to happen easily. Comments and suggestions for solving this problem are always welcome. g) Reports on Soviet Trade shows to Americans. h) Reports on American Trade shows to Soviets. They have a 2 hr TV program in the morning that educates the public about computers, and even have programming classes in 8086 assembly language, Pascal and Basic. When I watched it, they were explaining how to patch the BIOS so a Bulgarian printer will work with a PC. I don't completly know Russian, but enough information was in English for me to get an idea. It's amazing that material like this is broadcast over nation-wide TV. Another show "120 minutes", also broadcast in the morning, constantly informes the Soviet citizen about the importance of computers, and how they help produce hight quality goods in their stores. Their Cyrillic fonts of ascii characters above 0x80 are activated from the keyboard by shift lock. The video driver is available from the Academy of sciences for the asking. In about 3 weeks, my SF/Moscow Data Teleport service will be firmly established, enabling me to send and recieve Email from Moscow instantly. This service is so inexpensive that I'm trying it for 6 months or so. If anyone wants details, call (415) 931-8500 and ask for details. The prices are $15/hr connect time (About the same as BIX I think), and $25/month for BASIC service, and $75/month for Extended service, such as follow-up for un-answered messages by phone calls, stimulation of timely responses from your Soviet counterparts, technical training on the Soviet side, as well as Email access FROM the Soviet Union TO the USA if you plan on traveling there. I have established an amazing list of contacts who ALSO will be getting the teleport service on the Soviet side, dedicating towards setting up and using a UUCP network, then I will have direct communication with them. I also got the Extended service that provides me with phone call followup messages to Soviets NOT connected to the system. This will enable them to drop down to the local Teleport office and Email me a message. Or having my Soviet contact call them on the phone to dictate a message to me. If anyone here in NetLand wants to closly work with me, to establish this UUCP network, please Email me, and let me know what YOU can do to help facilitate the UUCP link. What we need is: A Unix site interested in maintaining DIRECT connection to the Teleport, enabling Soviet users to dial a LOCAL Moscow number, connecting DIRECTLY to your site. The American site must make arrangements or provide a joint venture so that the Soviet side maintains an office, accepts applicants for users, and sets them up with an account. So, what do you want to know about the Soviet Union, Please make your resuests now, and flood my mail box. I'll gather up your requests and Email them to my friend at the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, and lets see what the Ruskies have to say. They are eagerly awaiting your questions. Email me at: uunet!acad!well!crunch - Personal or uunet!acad!crunch - If related to AutoDesk Business Till later.... Crunch