**>> SPYNET BULLETIN 
 **>> EARTHDATE 94.03.06 
 **>> AN H-by-A SERVICE 
 
 **>> Compiled by Hazed plus a team of specialist newsdroids 
 **>> <SEND HAZED> your news and gossip and get paid good groats! 
 
 
 **>> FEDERATION SHUTDOWN 
 
Fed is moving! The GEnie system is made up of lots of different machines,
and as part of ongoing maintenance to improve system performance, Fed is
being moved to a new machine. While the move is going on, the game will be
unavailable. 
 
Fed will be shut down at 3.45am eastern on Monday morning, and will stay
down during the day. We are promised that the move will be finished well
before 6.00pm in the evening. 
 
If you are still on the game when it is shut down, you will receive a
message saying "Federation Shutdown - please relogon". This message means
that the game has been closed down in an orderly fashion and all files have
been saved. It's not a crash, it simply means that either the Federation
team, or the GEnie Operations people, have taken the game down for some
reason. Apart from tomorrow's move, GEnie do occasionally have to take the
game down for a few minutes, or sometimes longer, for maintenance reasons,
and that's what happened last night at around 11.00 eastern time. 
 
We hope that the move will help Fed to run faster. It is worth remembering
that even when the main GEnie system is sluggish, Fed itself may be running
normally, and once you get into the game you might not be affected by
system problems. 
 
 
 **>> LAZY WORKTHINGS! 
 
One of the most Frequently Asked Questions about companies and factories is
"Why won't my factories run, even though I've got all the inputs?" The
answer is usually because there's a shortage of workthings. 
 
Each planet has a set number of workthings, depending on the economic
level. The available labor force is shown on the <DI planet> display.
Obviously, the more factories there are operating on the planet, the more
demand there will be for workthings. The workers will go to the factory
that pays the highest wages. 
 
But even if yours is the only factory on the planet, the workthings won't
come and work for you if the money you are offering is less than the
planetary welfare level. Why should they? The more advanced a planet is,
the higher the welfare payment is, so the more wages you have to pay to
stir the workthings out of their beds. If a planet is advanced to the next
economic level, you may suddenly find that the workers won't come and work
for you - because the welfare payment has gone up, but your wages haven't. 
 
Of course, when a planet promotes to leisure, things become a lot more
complicated. When a Baron starts building for Duke, a lot of the workthings
get siphoned off and are unable to come and work in your factory, so demand
for labor increases amongst the factory-owners, thus pushing wages bills
higher and higher. 
 
 
 **>> PLANETS AND THE FREE WEEKEND 
 
Some time during March, we will be holding another of our very popular free
weekends. As before, we do not announce the date in advance, but we will
give our regular players some advance warning by posting a message on the
main Fed page the night before the weekend is due to start. 
 
Last time, we experimented to see if we could leave all the player-planets
in the game, and still have enough room for lots and lots of new players.
It turned out that there wasn't enough room. This time, we're going to try
something different. 
 
On the Friday and Saturday of the free weekend, we will leave all the mini
planets in the game, and remove all the full planets. This means existing
players will still be able to trade. On Sunday, we will swap the planets
over - the full planets will go in, and the mini planets will come out. By
this time, new players may have made it to Adventurer, so they'll have some
fun places to explore. 
 
That's what we plan... of course, when it comes to it, we may still find
there's not enough room, in which case we'll do something else! 
 
 
 **>> CAUGHT BY A ROGUE SPACE 
 
Amigan got a fright recently when he accidentally put a space in front of a
message he was typing to people in the same room. His message contained the
word 'promote' and the game ignored the fact that it was supposed to be
speech, and tried to promote his planet! 
 
The moral of the story is that if you use a single or double quote instead
of typing the word SAY when you talk to people, you -*must*- make sure the
quote is the first thing on the line, and it's not got a space in front of
it! Otherwise the game will scan along the line looking for a word it
recognises. 
 
 
 **>> NO APOLOGY: NO RETRACTION 
 
The following letter was delivered to the H-by-A offices during the week.
The fact that we are publishing it should not be taken to mean that we
agree with it; we stand by our previous statements and offer no apologies
or retractions. Still, never let it be said that we won't give our
opponents a fair hearing, no matter how dim-witted they are: 
 
     Apparently, your incompetent newsdroids are incapable of uncovering
the true story of my Lord PlantKing, Baron of Canna, and his apparent quest
for Dukedom. The sleazy journalistic reporting that implied he was a dimwit
because he is taking so long on the Duke puzzle is totally inaccurate, and
may result in a multi-gigagroat lawsuit for slander being filed against you
with the Galactic High Court. 
 
     In actuality, my Lord only went to Horsell once, back in January, and
there was no one else there with him while he explored the place (such as
it was). Although he spent a good deal of time there, he was apparently
unable to find one thing that provides some vital piece of information
about the solution to the puzzle. When he discussed his trip with some who
had already solved the puzzle, they had no explanation for his inability to
find the missing clue. 
 
     Although he does plan to visit Horsell again, he has set no date for
his return, even though he has been offered hauling services for the raw
materials required for the trip. His planet remains profitable, and it
provides a great place for traders and other planet owners to sell large
quantities of about 30 different commodities at reasonable prices. And
considering the almost total disappearance from the game of many who have
become Senator, why should he rush into becoming a Duke? 
 
     If you so desire, you may publish the above information, in lieu of a
retraction of your previous inaccurate news report, in the hope that my
Lord will consider abandoning legal proceedings against you.  
 
     Rumpole 
 
 
 **>> CHANGE OF DIET 
 
Diesel has engaged a new chef, in an effort to liven up our diets with
something other than pizza. Should her experiments prove successful, expect
the menu at Chez Diesel to be broadened considerably to include such
delicacies as Grizzly Casserole, Fubar Surprise, Zlitherworm Pie, NewBod
Neopolitan, and - the chef's special - Marsratatouille. 
 
 
 **>> FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT... 
 
An oily-looking character slips into the editor's office and leers at her.
("What is THIS?" she asks herself, wincing when she sees what just crept
in.) He greets her, "Hey Babe..." and tosses a smudged, dog-eared document
onto her desk. "I'm here to apply for your... uh... 'position'," he says,
wriggling his eyebrows as he does. (He's obviously insinuating something
but that's too disgusting a thought to entertain for long given his
appearance and demeanor.) 
 
 
 **>> THEY'LL BE COMIN' 'ROUND THE MOUNTAIN WHEN THEY COME... 
 A FedNews Roving Report by W.C. 
 
FED Dataspace was recently overrun by a multitude of the ne Galdurian clan.
It looks like this was a well-plotted assault, a spy having been sent here
in advance to gather information and allay our suspicions, ostensibly
'helping' other players and serving the Fed community by assuming the
Senatorial mantle. 
 
Conscientious Public Servant...? Nay! There's strong evidence that suggests
the man's not only a spy but a philanderer as well!!! But unsuspecting
citizens had no way to piece together the plot, until up popped a second ne
Galdur. And even this wasn't viewed too seriously... UNTIL! Last night the
scheme was revealed in all its villainy! The horde descended, not driving
elephants, but instead, various mutations of the initial representative's
seemingly innocent Eqquirraptor. (And all this time, we thought it was just
a pretty space-surrey!) 
 
Denizens of our beleaguered galaxy last night witnessed the arrival of
Tellurina, closely followed by Tellurani. They were aided and abetted at
the Starship Cantina by the nefarious ne Galdur brothers Tellurain and
Tellurian, where-upon the entire bunch invaded Sam's. This reporter,
disguised as a waitdroid, was able to learn that the sisters apparently
assassinated a number of innocent nuns to gain their freedom and journey to
Fedspace. 
 
Once at Sam's, the crew disrupted the clientele and attempted to poison
everyone there by distributing a deadly concoction described as 'Ma Tell's
recipe'. Patrons began rapidly to seek paths of escape via any means at
their disposal including lifts and teleporters. It's even been hinted that
one poor soul committed D-D suicide in order to remove herself, calling out
plaintively over the comms for mercy from the brothers before she actually
did it. 
 
The sisters soon fell into a fray between themselves, brawling, waving
bazookas and daggers, and hurling insults at each other concerning various
cosmetic surgeries. Out of the chaos, a notable tidbit of information was
garnered. One sister was overheard informing Tellurain that he has now
achieved fatherhood, being the proud parent of a baby daughter named (you
might have guessed it) Tellurinina. And the mother? Unknown at this time,
but a clue has surfaced. The notorious sisters were heard to whisper
between themselves the phrase "playing doctor" linked with the name of
their own brother. Inquiring minds want to know... has Tellurain registered
for a license to practice medicine here in Fed?  
 
 
 **>> FROM THE FED DATA SPACE SOCIETY NEWS DESK 
 
It has come to our attention that here in our own Fed Data Space, there has
recently been a rampant revival of the old-Earth 19th century pastime of
paying 'social calls'. Whether this neo-regalement has reached the lengths
of having printed calling cards delivered to drawing rooms by butlers is
unknown. Indeed, it would seem from appearances that the Fed citizenry has,
as is their inventive wont, adapted the form somewhat, choosing instead to
'receive' in their bedrooms. Blackadder Esq. and Mme. Mosquito are far and
away considered the reigning host and hostess of this week's social
calendar, having entertained a number of Fed's upper-crust, including
Senatorial and Ducal titles. Patrons of their salon were dizzied by the
creative array of diversions organized for their benefit by this
enterprising duo. Mention of water sports and rope tricks has been heard
parleyed among an impressed audience. An illustrious honorable mention
should, we hear, be extended to Mlle. Emmi who welcomed prestigious boudoir
callers last eve, providing them quided tours of her gracious Oacian
palazzo. One 'last but not least' laudation must be tendered to Mme.
Tabitha who is due a deferential nod for her efforts in organizing Fed Data
Space's Ladies' League. Who knows what peerless endeavors will emerge from
this fledgling consortium. 
 
 
 **>> YOU BETTER YOU BET! 
 
The bets are rolling in for the sweepstake to guess just who fathered
Emmi's prospective child. Rumour has it that she is carrying twins, with
two different fathers, which opens the betting right up! The minimum bet
has now been upped to 5 meg. See Hazed to place your bets. 
 
 
 **>> RIVALRY 
 
On Thursday night, a little fight broke out between some Fedders. Talisan,
Grizzley and Rai were having a bit of touchy-feely fun in Sam's on
Castillo, looking under various items of clothing, making provocative
remarks to one another, and so on, when Barberouuse teleported in. He
seemed keen to join in but rather monopolised Talisan, taking her for his
own, hugging and kissing her, and not letting the other boys get a look (or
touch) in. This made Grizzley very jealous, and he pulled a gun on the
Senator - not a wise thing to do. He soon realised that fighting with a
Senator was not the best way to advance in the game, and dropped the gun,
trying to coax Talisan away from Barbe and back to him. Talisan continued
to taunt Rai and Grizzley by moving her body in a provocative way, exposing
her flesh and inflaming their desires further, but she stayed with
Barberousse, leaving them frenzied but frustrated. 
 
 
 **>> SPOTLIGHT ON THE STAMP COLLECTING ROUNDTABLE 
 
New on GEnie is the Stamp Collecting RoundTable, headed by philatelic
writer and former dealer Lloyd A. de Vries. It's the place to get the
latest philatelic news as well as exchange advice and opinions. "We're just
getting started," de Vries said, "but we expect Real-Time Conferences with
organization leaders, writers and top dealers." 
 
The bulletin board features topics for new and junior (youth) collectors,
as well as GEnie subscribers who may have inherited or rediscovered a
collection. "We promise a response for every question," de Vries says, "and
if we don't know the answer, we'll find it." 
 
This brand-new RT is at page 1520. 
 
 
 **>> PLANETS AND DUCHIES 
 
Vannitel is the newest planet to grace the Galaxy. Squire Skurge has
provided us with an entertaining planet, set firmly in the mediaeval mould;
a planet where magic is more important than science. 
 
Using the link to jump to Vannitel is a very traumatic experience,
resulting in a near-collision! Only the tractor beams wielded at the last
minute by the landing authorities saved our newsdroid from being smeared
across the planet by the high-speed impact. Once landed, the usual services
are clustered around the landing pad. We particularly recommend the two
clubs to found SE of the landing pad; a sign reading SEE IT ALL! GUYS AND
GALS! GO SE! beckoned our newsdroid down an alley to Ticklers, where Mr
Nude Universe displays all for the audience, and to Sinful Delight, where
showgirls entertain an enthralled crowd. 
 
West of the landing pad is the Archway of Time, leading to the True Lands
of Vannitel - and it bears a strong warning which basically says "It's your
funeral! This place is dangerous". Once through the arch, magic takes over
and wizards and alchemists banish all thoughts of spaceships and twin
lasers. Walk with care, but enjoy your explorations - Vannitel is fun! 
 
Skurge is offerring a 10 meg reward plus one insurance premiun to the first
player to solve the puzzle on Vannitel (Explorers and below only). Send him
a note when you think you've beaten it. 
 
Vannitel has joined up with Barberousse's Duchy of Source. Apart from this,
there's been no change to the duchy structure. 
 
Neuromancer's Paradigm is now a mini planet. Maxwell's Dawn should be
turning mini early in the week. 
 
Roissy and Valaria are now Technical planets; and Nightfall and Ausland are
leisure worlds. Nightfall is building for the Duke puzzle, and has already
got a teleporter. He's happily (but fearfully) whizzing back and forth
across the Galaxy. We don't know whether Ramius has started his builds yet.

 
 
 **>> SPYNET REVIEW 
 
Lots of new Captains over the past week - the lower ranks are jumping! Well
done to everyone who was promoted. 
 
The Captains were Corinthus, Amano, Obitus, Waite, Tellurani, Tellurina,
Melchior, Patrickr, Rogers, Loron, Marinsha, Mapper, Aardvark and Alexander
(back from the dead). 
 
Grump, Waite, Zaphod, Alexander and Kathy all made it to Adventurer or -
euse. 
 
The Traders Guild admitted Pete, Waite and Alexander into its hallowed
halls. 
 
Surfer, Spring, Gregan and Chance were promoted to Merchant. 
 
Surfer and Strider solved the awesome JP puzzle. Surfer went on to tackle
the fiendish GM puzzle, and then became an Explorer. His planet is expected
soon. 
 
Skurge is now Squire of Vannitel, owner of a planet of his very own. 
 
Marcia, Zagmar and Nightstalker all promoted to Technocrat as their planets
advanced. 
 
Nightstalker moved on to become a Baron, and Ramius also made Baron. 
 
The mortuaries were busy throughout the Galaxy dealing with un-revivable
corpses. Merchant Melchior, Trader Demelza, Squire Rand, and JP Alexander
all went dead-dead during the week. Bad luck, guys and gals! 
 
 
 **>> 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 or Bella in the game 
 
 * <SEND> a message to Hazed or Bella 
 
 * send GEnie mail with the Mail about Federation option from the main menu
 
A front-end terminal program is available for Federation, for the PC. You
can download a copy of FedTerm from the Federation libraries (option 3 on
the main  Fed page). The Amiga version is in beta-test.  
 
The third edition of the unexpurgated printed Idiot's Guide to Federation
is now available, price $15.95. Type ORDER from any GEnie main menu and buy
one. Or more! 
 
Federation has several categories in the new MPGames RT. To get there, type
M1045,1 from any menu prompt and SET category 13 (for information,
instructions, questions and answers) or 14 (for general chat and
discussions). The Federation Leader in the bulletin board is Oxcart (Mail
ID: J.LONG29). There are also private categories for Explorers and the
Sentate, run by Krell (Mail ID: K.HILLYER). 
 
The MPGames RT also has a Federation library in the files area, Library 5. 
 
 **>> BULLETIN ENDS