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From: crunch@well.UUCP (John Draper)
Newsgroups: comp.misc,comp.os.minix,comp.unix.xenix,comp.unix.microport
Subject: Questions from the Soviets about UNIX
Message-ID: <10031@well.UUCP>
Date: 15 Dec 88 19:49:48 GMT
Reply-To: crunch@well.UUCP (John Draper)
Organization: Whole Earth Lectroinic Link, Sausalito, CA
Lines: 91


    
    I have a Soviet frind named Dima who has prepared a list of questions
that I'm sure almost anyone might be able to answer.   This is the first
list of questions from the Soviet Union that I am passing on for anyone
to answer.

    Remember,  these people don't know English Fluently,   so keep your
terms as simple as possible,  and refrain from some of the colorful
metaphores often used on the Nets.     Translators are available and
usually they get payed in bottles of Vodka.    

    One other thing to consider,  is that these people are very 
inexperienced in telecommunications,  and are just now getting started
building a Publis access Computer network using Xenix on IBM-PC's.

    I recommended they start out using Fidonet software,   and they
are considering it.   I have posted the first batch of questions a few
days ago,  and I've gotten word today that the question list went to 
the translators.    They are currently translating them to Russian.
Not many translators are available right now,  as they are all down
in Armenia dealing with the disaster.

    The Soviets are now starting from the ground up to build a number
of Computer hosts to act like the WELL, Portal, BIX,  etc.    They 
really want to eventually UUCP to the USA through the Teleport.   UNIX
machines are practically non-existant,  and I'm asking everyone here
in Net land to help us get them started so they can get on-line to
communicate with us.

    They cannot pay for the equipment in Rubles,  because it's non-
convertable currency,  so other arrangements for payment of the equipment
would have to be arranged.

    They have a LOT of programming talant,  and can probably pay in
programming services,   or at least pay for someone to visit Moscow and
help them get an on-line system started.

    They are working closly with the SF/Moscow teleport (See previous
posting in "comp.misc").    So,  here are the questions,   and you can 
email the answers to be at the following net addresses.

    Remember,  if we get the Soviets on-line,  it is obvious that 
better understanding would result between us,  and it would definitely
result in better relations.

    UNIX machines are non-existant and un-available to the general Soviet
people.   I suspect that their Military Komplex (mis-spelling intentional
:-)  would have them,   but the ordinary people have NEVER seen,  or
used UNIX.    They are starting from scratch.   So lets help them get
on-line,  and perhaps eventually on UseNet through the Teleport.

   So,  if anyone out there who is knowledgeable in setting up UNIX
sites and wants a free trip to the USSR to help them get set up,
Do we have any volunteers??

    For those MINIX users,   is it possible to send the Soviets a copy
of MINIX??   How does one feel about that,   Any comments??

Here are Dima's questions:

1.So we need information about  any software which makes it  possible to
create  UNIXlike  networks  under  MSDOS.

2.We've just  arranged Xenix  ver.2.0 for  PC AT.What  can we  do to try
Telecommunications on it?

3.How is it possible to install 4 modems in one computer?Using Com 1,2,3,4?
What multiplex board do we need(specification)?

4. Please send us a technical documentation for FidoNet and UUCP with
possibilities of this software and hardware support. Prices? 

We can use IBM PC/AT/XT, so have you any examples of usage this computers
for such net which you describe in last message? 

  < This last question sounds a little funny,   probably his difficulty
    in English >
    
   So,  if any of you people in Net land want to help these people out,
this is the first batch of questions they are sending to US.

   In relation to the LAST batch of questions we sent to them a few days
ago,   they are still working on them.    I suspect that I would get
the answers in a few days,  depending on the availability of translators,
which costs them money (or Vodka).

More later.... Stay tuned.

John Draper
Programmers Network
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