**>> SPYNET BULLETIN **>> EARTHDATE 91.03.03 **>> AN H-by-A SERVICE **>> FEDERATION II BBS ON THE MOVE The Federation II category and library, currently in Scorpia's BBS, are being moved to a new area devoted to multi-player games. Called, logically enough, MPGAMES, the new RT is in beta-test at the moment, and barring accidents will go live on March 7. Those jolly nice H-by-A people have been slaving over a hot computer, starting topics and uploading essential information. The "official" documents from the old Fed category have been uploaded in their new home, including the Idiot's Guides to Companies & Factories, and Planetary Construction. The "Biography Corner" topic has also been shifted over, since we considered the uploads therein to be worthy of preservation. However, much of the material in the old BBS will not be moved, so if any of you wish to save the messages for future reference, we suggest you do so soon. Most of the files in the Library will be moved across during the next week, including the various maps provided by players. Although the new MPGames area is still in beta test, you are encouraged to go and have a look. Feel free to contribute to the Fed category, by adding to the existing topics we have set up, or by starting your own new topics. Be aware, however, that until the RT goes live on March 7, it is possible that messages may be moved or deleted without warning. The page number is 1045, the Federation II area is category 14, and the Fed files are in library 6. **>> A CAUTIONARY TALE We're not naming any names in this story, although we are sure you all know to whom it refers! An enterprising Merchant had knocked up a nifty set of macros to enhance his/her trading and groat-making abilities. A new Trader didn't have any macros, and did not feel capable of writing any for him/herself, so the Merchant very kindly agreed to provide the Trader with a copy of the macros. Unfortunately, the macros also contained the Merchant's log-on details - his/her user ID and password. And the Merchant forgot to edit these out. On discovering this, the Trader saw a golden opportunity to transfer some wealth from the Merchant's persona to his/her own, with the connivance of a friend. One of them logged on using the Merchant's ID, sold the Merchant's factory, and gave all the money to the other. When the Merchant next logged on, he/she was dismayed to discover the lack of groats. He/she asked around a little, and discovered that someone had been using his/her account - and since the macros had only been provided to one person, the culprit was obvious. So what happens next? Most of the Fed players are outraged by the behaviour of the Trader and his/her friend. They, and the Merchant, think something should be done about it. This is not the first time that losses have occurred to a persona by unauthorised use of an account, but it is usually somebody's little brother who gets hold of the password and causes damage. Because it is a matter of GEnie security in general, rather than Fed security, we have passed the information on to the GEnie management, and it will be up to them to take any action necessary. **>> BUST-UP OVER GM HINTS Back when Occy was struggling with the GM puzzle, she was desparate for clues and asked many people for help. One of those who gave her the information she so desparately needed was Piemur, the first GM. In return for his help, Piemur asked for a payment of 20 meg. He says Occy agreed to pay this sum, but he foolishly didn't ask for the money up-front. Occy says that she did not agree to pay, and that most of her help actually came from other players! Both sides insisted their version of the story was the correct one. The dispute seemed deadlocked, and violence broke out. In this case, it looked as if Might would make Right. Having a larger ship, and more money to spend on weapons, Piemur spent all his time chasing Occy around the Solar System to gain his revenge, until poor Occy was afraid to even go into orbit. However, we were informed yesterday that the two combatants have come to an agreement. Unfortunately, part of the agreement was that they would not divulge the contents of the agreement! What spoilsports... how are we supposed to write the news when people keep things secret? Try as we might, we couldn't get anyone to give us any more information. But we can assume that the agreement involved Piemur promising not to shoot at Occy any more... **>> AT LAST, THE OBJECT EDITOR! A few weeks ago we announced in the News that the tools to let Explorers make changes to the objects and mobiles they had uploaded would be available in a few days. Well, Our Illustrious Leader discovered that the work was far more complicated (not to mention boring) than she had anticipated, and it didn't appear as scheduled. However, she assures us that it WILL be in in the next few days. Honest! **>> THE RETURN OF KEVIN Well, actually, he never left. A huge farewell party was thrown for him, we said exceptionally nice things about him in the News, women throughout Fed Data Space were in floods of tears... and after all that, he didn't leave. He's still here. Maybe we should make HIM throw a party for the rest of us! **>> GOODBYE, ARIEL Obviously the complications involved in trying to sue a mega-powerful corporation like H-by-A proved too much for Ariel. She's killed herself. Her ex-lawyer, Samantha, is claiming that we drove her to suicide, but this is obviously rubbish! Anyone who has the necessary drive and ambition to climb the ranks in Fed Data Space cannot possibly be such a wilting flower that they are thrown into trauma by a brief appearance in our weekly News Bulletins! We assume the court case is now off. Anyway, the dead Ariel, together with Samantha (ex-Samantha (ex-Mondo)), Humboltd (ex-Reno) and Logan (ex-Logan) have formed the Suicide is Painless Club. Actually, we are thinking of suing over the use of that name, since the phrase "Suicide is Painless" is used on Page 70 of the printed edition of the truly wonderful Idiot's Guide to Federation II (available from GEnie for the extremely modest sum of $12.95, type ORDER from any GEnie menu to get hold of a copy) and is clearly covered by the large threatening copyright notice on Page 95! **>> SPECIAL COMPETITION We are pleased to announce that we will be running a very special competition over the Easter holiday period at the end of March. The prize is a large colour print of a Federation II spaceship - the picture that was used for the cover of the last issue of GEnie's Livewire magazine. The picture will be approximately 29" by 42", framed, and signed by the artist. To try to win this marvellous prize, you have to play Fed. That's all! At the end of the holiday period - ie on Tuesday April 2 when prime-time connect recommences - we will reset the game, and make a note of the players who are top of each rank, as shown by the Levels list. These names will be put into a draw, and the winner will receive the prize. Thus, it is a competition that all of you have a chance of winning, no matter how long you have been playing Fed. All you have to do is attempt to become the richest player of your rank, so you appear on the Levels list. **>> PARTY CANCELLED A few weeks ago we told you that Masher would be holding a party. He mailed us after that edition of the news to tell us we had got the date wrong, and told us the correct date. A few days later he told us he had changed the date. Not long after that, we received another message saying the date had changed again! Confused? You bet we were! Finally, we were told that due to the unavailability of his co-host, the party was cancelled completely. Fine. **>> THAT BAND NAME We've had another suggestion for a name Otoole's band - Supernova. Not a bad name, that. Anyway, the response to this has been truly underwhelming. We've only received three suggestions. So if we don't get any more in the next week, we shall declare this competition closed and retire in disgust! **>> PROMOTIONS NEWS Oddball has been made a Trader. Congratulations. Polar made JP last week, and so did Samantha... just eight days after she re- started (yet again!). George has been promoted to Merchant, and is hoping to tackle the JP puzzle at this very moment! **>>CONTACTS The following information will appear at the end of every News Bulletin, so you don't have to read it if you already know it. In the event of a problem or question, you can: * talk to Hazed, Cryptosporidium, Bella or Clem in the game * leave a message in the game log * send mail with the Federation Feedback option from the main menu You can order a copy of the unexpurgated printed Idiot's Guide to Federation II by typing ORDER at any GEnie menu. Cost - a mere $12.95. Federation II has a category in the new MPGames RT. To get there, type M1045,1 from any menu prompt and SET category 14. The MPGames RT also has a Federation II library in the files area, Library 6. **>> BULLETIN ENDS