In the tenth anniversary issue on 5th August 1991, Marios Cleovoulou (publisher) reminds readers how VNS started and then describes when the then current VNS staff writers started their respective sections. He also included the very first issue (an email) and the UK news sections from the previous eight anniversaries. These anniversary issues may be seen individually in the archive list.
<><><><><><><><> T h e V O G O N N e w s S e r v i c e <><><><><><><><>
Edition : 2380 Monday 5-Aug-1991 Circulation : 8358
VNS Announcement .................................. 44 Lines
VNS MAIN NEWS ..................................... 520 "
VNS COMPUTER NEWS ................................. 157 "
VNS TECHNOLOGY WATCH .............................. 25 "
VNS UK SPORTS REPORT .............................. 140 "
Please send subscription and backissue requests to CASEE::VNS
VNS Announcement: [Marios Cleovoulou, VNS Publications]
================= [Valbonne, France ]
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ANNIVERSARY ISSUE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
! !
! 1 0000 Y Y EEEEEE AAA RRRRRR !
! 11 0 0 Y Y E A A R R !
! 1 1 0 0 Y Y E A A R R !
! 1 0 0 Y Y E A A R R !
! 1 0 0 Y EEEE AAAAAAA RRRRRR !
! 1 0 0 Y E A A R R !
! 1 0 0 Y E A A R R !
! 1 0 0 Y E A A R R !
! 11111 0000 Y EEEEEE A A R R !
! !
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ANNIVERSARY ISSUE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes! That's right! Ten years ago, on Monday the 3rd of August 1981,
Richard De Morgan sent the cricket score and one line of news to an
expatriate colleague working in the U. S. of A.; the message was
forwarded to a small community of "ex-pat Brits" and The VOGON News
Service started.
Not only that, but Tracy Talcott [COMPUTER NEWS] celebrates his eighth
year of writing for the VNS, his first contribution appearing in VNS
#388 on Thursday the 4th of August 1983!
Mike Taylor [TECHNOLOGY WATCH] has a few months to go until his eighth
anniversary, having joined the VNS "staff" on the 13th of December of
the same year.
Dick Binder started the VOGONBALLS column in July 1985, Ken Merrick
has given us the UK SPORTS REPORT from January 1989, and Tom Povey took
over the job of providing the MAIN NEWS in September 1990.
These people make up our regular writing staff; it is they who provide
the substance of the VNS and who I believe have, day in, day out, week
in, week out, year in, year out, have provided us, and continue to
provide us with a FIRST CLASS service. And they do it 'cos they want
to! With a daily readership of over 13,000 (circa 5000 on our VideoTeX
service), I can tell these peoples' efforts are appreciated!
Oh, and as it happens, just the week before Tracy started, eight years
ago, I took over the job of "publisher", so I'm celebrating too 🙂
VNS MAIN NEWS: [Tom Povey, VNS UK News Desk]
============== [Reading, England ]
Here is the News at 07:00 BST on Monday 5-August-1991
-----------------------------------------------------
European News
-------------
Fierce fighting continues in Croatia/Yugoslavia. Details are emerging of
a massacre in a Croatian village last Thursday as it was attacked,
reportedly without warning, by Serbian rebels.
The EC peace mission to Yugoslavia has collapsed. Its leader, the Dutch
foreign minister, has blamed the intransigence of the Serbs whose leaders
did not attend the final round of talks.
UK News
-------
FT-SE = 2601.7
Exchange Rate for UK pound = $ 1.6880 = Dm 2.9397
= Yn 230.49 = SFr 2.5632 = FFr 9.9930
The CBI says that pay settlements in the manufacturing industries are
rising at only 6.5%, down from over 8% last quarter. However, this is
still higher than the rise in prices. 1 in 7 companies have a pay
freeze.
The MoD have confirmed that they plan to cut some 30,000 jobs. Union
representatives are asking for a package including re-training and
privatisation of existing services as an alternative to simple
redundency.
Authorities are concerned about "rogue" english-language schools who
bring foreign students to Britain to improve their english and then only
provide a minimum series of lessons (eg 2 hours a day), leaving the
students un-supervised and without advice for the rest of the time.
{report from the European.}
World News
----------
US Sec of State, Mr James Baker, continues his tour of arab states in
and around the Middle East in order to get support for the planned peace
conference in October. The leader of the PLO has said that
representatives of East Jerusalem must attend if the conference is to
have any real affect. One of his aides is quoted as saying that the PLO
would choose a "moderate" delegation in consideration of the Israeli
position.
A cruise liner sank off the eastern coast of South Africa at the
weekend. 15 people are thought missing and searches are continuing.
There are reports from passengers that senior crew members were amongst
the first to leave the sinking ship. A government inquiry is to be held.
{News courtesy of the BBC}
Local Weather
-------------
Cloudy start with some rain. Should brighten up later. Quite humid. High
23C/74F.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
As part of this 10th aniversary VNS issue, I have extracted parts from
the main news sections of the previous 9 aniversary editions, or at
least the edition closest to the aniversary date. I have chosen items
that fit the main criteria for VNS main news, ie items of likely
interest to UK ex-pats. I have chosen some that show the style of
Richard de Morgan, the original main news editor, and also some items
that are still of relevance today. Apologies in advance for the length,
456 lines (but then it has been 10 years), and the inclusion of cricket
news.
We start with the whole of VNS issue number 1:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
VNS No.1
========
1. England won the 4th test match by 19 runs. The Australians required only
151 runs in their 2nd innings. The last five wickets were taken by Botham
for only 1 run.
2. 8th IRA hunger striker died. Set new record (73 days).
Cheers, Richard.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
By the time a year had passed, the VNS main news had acquired a little
more formality and a lot more news. Here is a selection:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
VNS No.193
==========
VNS MAIN NEWS: 3-Aug-82 [Richard De Morgan, Chief Editor, VNS].
========================
Here is the News at 1330 BST
----------------------------
Lebanon
-------
On the 10th ceasefire at the moment. Over the weekend, Israelis deployed battle
tanks in streets. Habib close to failure; Reagan impatient with Israel. UN
propose sending observers.
Domestic News
-------------
1.25% drop in mortgage interest rate expected.
Industrial and Commercial News
------------------------------
CBI survey shows sharp fall in confidence and industrial output.
De Lorean rescue "still viable" says Official Receiver.
International News
------------------
Falkland Is. soldier found after wandering for 6 weeks with amnesia.
Parliament and European Parliament
----------------------------------
Jonathon (?) Cadbury 36 year old MP for (?) found dead of shotgun wounds with
gun nearby. No foul play. His majority was only a few hundred. Was depressed by
state of economy.
Lord Cockfield (pronounced Coefield) forbids 4 UK companies to comply with
US pipeline embargo.
Local News
----------
Local petrol price war: nearest two stations: now 158.4/gall ****.
Weather: warm, rainy, less humid.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edition: 387 3-AUG-1983 Circ: 107
VNS MAIN NEWS: [Richard De Morgan, Chief Editor, VNS]
==============
Here is the news at 13.00 BST
_____________________________
International News
------------------
European countries sell dollars to keep down US interest rates.
2 Argie fishing boats shooed off Falkland Is.
Nigeria to buy 18 FR/Brit Jaguars (planes not moggies.)
Peking slow heavy industry development to ease pollution.
Pres Habre of Chad accuses Libya of genocide. US armament to be flown in soon.
Dr Christian Barnard, pioneer of heart transplant surgery to retire due to
ill health. Boy given second double heart after original one fails year
after "piggy back" transplant.
UK News
-------
21 convicted by evidence of "supergrass" in 6 month IRA trial.
2 brothers charged with selling "glue sniffing kits" to children.
Police search for bogus traffic wardens who harass motorists.
Education, Employment, Industrial and Commercial News
-----------------------------------------------------
CBI says higher interest rates could damage recovery.
Building Society incomes double after interest rate increases.
New impetus for French/British rail/road bridge-tunnel-bridge; cost
3,800m at 1980 prices.
Local News
----------
Summer is back.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edition: 628 Friday 3-AUG-1984 Circ: 698
VNS MAIN NEWS: [Richard De Morgan, Chief Editor, VNS]
============== [Reading, England ]
Here is the News at 08.00 BST
_____________________________
International News
------------------
French plane hijacking: hijackers release hostages and surrender, blowing up
cockpit of plane after France refused to release terrorists.
Bomb explosion in left luggage at Madras airport - 9 killed.
Bomb explosion at European Space Agency offices Paris - nobody hurt. Grafitto
indicated work of "Action Direct" a left-wing group.
US News
-------
A man was arrested after driving a car containing bombs behind an Olympic
Athletes' coach. He claimed to be protecting them.
UK News
-------
Whirlwind damaged village near Nottingham; 3' floods.
Jobless up 71,000 to 12.9%.
Education, Employment, Industrial and Commercial News
-----------------------------------------------------
To celebrate the 50th (?) anniversary of Royal Mail, the Post Office ran a
stagecoach on a 17 hour journey from Bristol to London along the old coaching
route, the A4. It arrived an hour or so late because of delays by sightseers.
A TV reporter posted a first class letter in a postbox near by where the stage
started - it was scheduled to be collected 20 mins later - to a shop close to
where the stage was to arrive. Several hours later, there was no sign of the
letter arriving.
Education, Science, Technology, Medicine, and Nature
----------------------------------------------------
Mint to consider new lighter 10p coin and copper 5p coin.
100' 12th century wall discovered near Newark Castle, Notts.
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<><><><><><><><> T h e V O G O N N e w s S e r v i c e <><><><><><><><>
Edition : 879 Friday 2-Aug-1985 Circulation : 1743
VNS MAIN NEWS: [Richard De Morgan, Chief Editor, VNS]
============== [Reading, England ]
Here is the News at 08.00 BST on 2-Aug-1985
___________________________________________
International News
------------------
Common Market leaders call back ambassadors from S Africa for consultations.
EEC gives 6 week ultimatum to SA. Rand collapses on foreign markets.
Black SA goldminers strike.
Afghan patriots continue to bombard collaborationist positions and take
hundreds of prisoners. They now have multiple-barelled rockets capable
of accurate fire up to 7 miles.
US News
-------
Lt Col and 5 others working for Pentagon arrested by FBI for conspiracy
to ship arms to Iran.
UK News
-------
PM emphasises firm action on football hooligans. Fulham announce ticket
only game. PM says if FA and League do not not fully collaborate with
measures for crowd control, govt will take extra powers to ban matches
where trouble is expected.
Science, Technology, Medicine, and Nature
-----------------------------------------
Research at U of California, Berkely has shown that in old age the human
brain can develop if stimulated by intellectual activity.
{I included this because I read about this "discovery" only recently in
a report from a different group. It's called re-search... tfp}
Miscellany
----------
Fourth test at Old Trafford:
Australia 257 all out.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<><><><><><><><> T h e V O G O N N e w s S e r v i c e <><><><><><><><>
Edition : 1124 Friday 1-Aug-1986 Circulation : 3289
VNS MAIN NEWS: [Richard De Morgan, Chief Editor, VNS]
============== [Reading, England ]
Here is the News at 08.00 BST on 1-aug-1986
___________________________________________
International News
------------------
Convicted armed robbers in Nigeria face a slow death by firing squad -
first shot in the ankles, the shots are aimed higher at 5 minute intervals.
Reindeer in Norway have been found to have been severly contaminated by
radiation from Chernobyl.
Japan backs down over microchip dumping in US - agrees to increase prices.
US News
-------
The would-be mugger who was beaten around the ears by an 87 year old
British widow in NY on 26 may was sentenced to 2 - 4 years.
UK News
-------
The High Court has banned mass picketing of the Wapping plant of News
International by the print unions; last night a transport depot of NI was
attacked by some 40 hooligans who caused considerable damage to transport
vehicles. The above ru;ing means that only up to 6 pickets at a time will
be alllowed.
Miscellany
----------
The ceremonial guard posted at the Gibraltar=Spain border has been removed
after over 250 years.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<><><><><><><><> T h e V O G O N N e w s S e r v i c e <><><><><><><><>
Edition : 1372 Monday 3-Aug-1987 Circulation : 4570
VNS MAIN NEWS: [Richard De Morgan, Chief Editor, VNS]
============== [Basingstoke, England ]
Here is the News at 08:00 BST on 3-Aug-1987
-------------------------------------------
UK News
-------
TUC conference next month to consider change of image in the light
of falling membership.
BCal says it may collapse if BA merger is deferred. (This is crying "wolf"
once to often!)
DoE favour split-up of CEGB before privatization.
Lord Scarman, a former Lord of Appeal says judgement against papers
in "Spy Catcher" case was flawed.
Parliament, European Parliament/EEC, Law and Politics
-----------------------------------------------------
"Barmy" Benn reads from "Spy Catcher" at Speakers' Corner, Hyde Park.
Even Lurch and Toad (the well renowned hecklers) were defeated).
Education, Employment, Industrial and Commercial News
-----------------------------------------------------
Austin Rover to abolish Austin marque.
Science, Technology, Medicine, and Nature
-----------------------------------------
The first condom advertisement appeared on TV on saturday; Mrs Whitehouse
has lodged a formal complaint.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<><><><><><><><> T h e V O G O N N e w s S e r v i c e <><><><><><><><>
Edition : 1621 Thursday 28-Jul-1988 Circulation : 6072
VNS MAIN NEWS: [Richard De Morgan, Chief Editor, VNS]
============== [Basingstoke, England ]
Here is the News at 07:30 BST on 28-Jul-1988
--------------------------------------------
[There will be no Main News tomorrow or monday - RMDeM].
UK News
-------
Current a/c deficit down over another #1bn - heading for #10bn for the
year.
The SAS personnel involved in shooting the IRA terrorists in Gibraltar
may, after all, give evidence at the Gibraltar inquest.
Parliament, European Parliament/EEC, Law and Politics
-----------------------------------------------------
Public Accts Ctte calls for MoD drive to check corruption in defence
contracts.
PM Mrs Thatcher yesterday derided a statement on the economic and
political union of Europe made by the Pres of the European Commission
M Delors.
Education, Employment, Industrial and Commercial News
-----------------------------------------------------
Mercury launched its line of payphones yesterday. One of them has neo-
Corinthian pillars.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<><><><><><><><> T h e V O G O N N e w s S e r v i c e <><><><><><><><>
Edition : 1873 Thursday 3-Aug-1989 Circulation : 7242
VNS MAIN NEWS: [Richard De Morgan, Chief Editor, VNS]
============== [Basingstoke, England ]
Here is the News at 07:30 BST on 3-Aug-1989
-------------------------------------------
US News
-------
A US Federal Jury have found the Korean Airlines crew of the 747 that
was shot down by Russians in 1983, in hich 269 people died, guilty
of deliberately flying into Soviet airspace.
UK News
-------
Parliament, European Parliament/EEC, Law and Politics
-----------------------------------------------------
The Govt is to allow water price increases to exceed inflation by up to
5% over the next 5 years. In addition, a debt of #1bn is to be written
off.
A Birmingham man has been been ordered to pay #1000 plus a fine after
his 3 Rotweiller dogs savaged a child. The dogs are to be destroyed.
He had a previous conviction for attack by one of the dogs.
One in 7 of Britain's 140,000 police officers were assaulted last year.
Education, Employment, Industrial and Commercial News
-----------------------------------------------------
The dock strike has officialy ended.
University teaching staff facing dismissal from Aston University,
Birmingham, have won a court appeal. They can only be dismissed for
"good causes". [A long-standing joke in university circles is that
"good causes" means being found in flagrante delicto with the Vice
Chancellor's wife witnessed by at least two professors].
Local News and Weather
----------------------
14C, suuny.
Miscellany
----------
Mike Gatting is to lead to lead a team of 16 cricket players to S
Africa.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<><><><><><><><> T h e V O G O N N e w s S e r v i c e <><><><><><><><>
Edition : 2121 Thursday 2-Aug-1990 Circulation : 8314
VNS MAIN NEWS: [Andrew Payne, VNS UK News Desk]
============== [Basingstoke, England ]
Here is the News at 09:00 GMT on 2-AUG-1990
--------------------------------------------
International News
------------------
IRAQ CLAIMS KUWAITI GOVERNMENT TOPPLED: Iraq's Revolutionary Command
Council has said that the government of Kuwait has been overthrown. It
said Kuwaiti revolutionaries had overthrown the government and its
troops had entered the country to help the new rulers. A statement read
on Baghdad Radio said Iraq would "turn Kuwait into a graveyard" if
anyone tried to intervene. The claim followed confirmation by Kuwait
state radio of an Iraqi invasion. It called on other Arab states to
help it repel the attack.
UN DISCUSSES IRAQI INVASION OF KUWAIT: The UN Security Council is
holding an emergency session on the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. The
meeting was called by Kuwait and the United States, which has strongly
condemned the invasion. A White House spokesman said the US was
"reviewing all options in its response to the Iraqi aggression". And
Secretary of State James Baker has asked the Soviet Union to halt all
arms delivered to Iraq.
UK News
-------
Local News and Weather
----------------------
Todays expected high temperature is 93 degrees Fahrenheit.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
VNS COMPUTER NEWS: [Tracy Talcott, VNS Computer Desk]
================== [Nashua, NH, USA ]
Friday's Market Digital Fair Market Value
Quote Change 3-Dec-1990 $53.50
IBM 100 1/4 -1 31-May-1991 $68.375
85% of lower $45.50
Friday's Market Dow Jones Change 3-Jun-1991 $68.125
DEC 69 1/2 - 3/8 3006.26 -11.41
Note - I'm on vacation for a week. VNS Computer News may not appear regularly
until August 12. - TT
VNS - Marios tells me today's VNS' 10 year anniversary, and it's my eighth
year writing for VNS. Sounds like a good time to take a week's vacation...
Those of you who've read Computer News when we tick over every 500th issue
mark are probably expecting a story about the importance of quality and how
much Deb and I like our Hondas and how good a job I think they do. Well, we
still have the cars and still think they do a great job taking care of their
customers, but I'll spare you that - almost. At least until we get to our next
500th issue tick.
I remember 500 or 1000 issues ago writing about tough times in the computer
industry. It's obvious they're here. I have a habit of checking the VNS
circulation figure that appears on the first page of every edition, and it's
hard watching the numbers shrink from month to month, knowing that at least
some of that drop is due to people being laid off. I've been at Digital one
way or another for (almost) more years than I can remember; 15 or so as near
as I can recall. I remember our lab getting its first VAX, interviewing so
many potential new hires it was sometimes difficult to get work done, and
watching the stock price go up, up and up some more. Those were some terrific
times and I wouldn't have missed them for the world.
Now that we're in the middle of "down-/right-"sizing, layoffs and increasing
our efficiencies, it's hard to keep your mind off our problems and on our
customers (and stockholders). I guess it sounds kind of hokey, but I believe
we have a lot of great stuff - software, hardware, services, support, and most
of all the people behind all of it. I *really* believe we're _great_ people.
To me, Digital's always had sort of a magic to it because of its people. I
still remember 197? when we all got invited down to the lawn at corporate
headquarters for a advertisement photo shoot. Something about all the people
who stand behind our products, if I recall correctly. I think it was a bunch
of people from the RSX group who all showed up wearing T-shirts that read "Who
says you can't love something that's small and finishes fast?" What an
off-center thing to do - running around PK3 with those shirts on for a
national advertising campaign. I suppose that sort of thing happens at other
big computer companies, but I know it happens here. A company like that has
energy. A company needs a soul and a vision. And products that embody the
vision. We've still got those things. And we still have people who care; if
they didn't they wouldn't be so involved and expressive of their opinions on
the actions we're taking these days. It's good that we have people
questioning, pushing back, suggesting alternate ways to do things - willing in
some cases to go out on a limb. That's the 1990s version of the RSX T-shirt
team. We've *still* got the energy and the vision, and new products coming out
every day. The company will never be the same as it was five or ten or twenty
years ago. That's a good thing - you can't live in the past. But you can use
the experience of the past to help shape today and tomorrow. Let's work
together to shape Digital's vision, and keep its soul alive (and at least a
bit irreverent!). Think about our customers today. I think a lot about how
Honda treats Deb and I and our small combined $20,000 purchase. If I don't
treat a $5 million (or $1000 for that matter) customer just as well, I'm not
doing my job. Give it a try; take a minute at the end of the day today to
think about what you did and ask yourself if you did the best you could for
the person who consumes what you produce. See what you can do to make things
better - get the energy. Get a vision and work to turn it into reality. - TT
Digital - Sues another Calif. firm
{The Boston Globe, 2-Aug-91, p. 58}
Digital sued Lago Systems Inc. of Los Gatos, Calif., in US District Court in
Boston claiming Lago violated Digital's patents for its proprietary
technologies for storing and retrieving computer information. Lago is the
fourth company Digital has sued over these technologies. So far only one
company, Systems Industries Inc. of Milpitas, Calif., has settled. Another,
Micro Technology Inc. of Anaheim, Calif, said it plans to fight Digital's
patent infringement case in court. Lago, like Micro Technology, has rejected
Digital's request to stop manufacturing infringing products and enter into a
phase-out program announced by Digital in June. Two companies that have
avoided Digital's legal actions are Winchester Systems of Woburn and Aviv
Corp. of Burlington. Both have agreed to stop producing certain products and
transfer to new technologies in the next 18 months.
Digital - Book details theft of Digital's core software
{The Boston Globe, 30-Jul-91, p. 35}
[This is the entire article - TT]
In an incident whose embarrassing details were kept quiet for three years,
two hackers repeatedly penetrated Digitals internal computer network and
stole a copy of its most valuable software program, according to a new book on
computer crime.
The intrusions were reported by the news media in 1988, when one of the
hackers was arrested in California after the other informed on him to Digital
and federal law enforcement officials. But Digital never publicly disclosed
the extent to which its network had been breached or that hackers had pilfered
the crown jewels of its software.
However, according to "Cyberpunk: Outlaw and Hackers on the Computer
Frontier," by Katie Hafner and John Markoff, the hackers roamed freely for
months through some of Digital's most sensitive computers, where they read
executives' electronic mail and other confidential files. More importantly, it
says they obtained a complete copy of VMS, the software that controls most of
Digital's VAX brand of computers, in a format in which details about VMS
security could be gleaned.
"Digital Equipment was compromised in a major way..." Hafner said in an
interview. "It had no idea who was in its computers." Digital, asked yesterday
about the book's account of the incident, confirmed that the VMS software had
been stolen. It said that the episode and other hacker break-ins triggered a
tightening of its security procedures and new products designed to make its
computers harder to crack. The disclosure by Hafner, a former BusinessWeek
reporter, and Markoff, her husband and a reporter for the New York Times, were
legend in hacker and computer security circles for some time. But publicity
generated by the book, officially released yesterday, could still embarrass
Digital and even scare off customers, computer security specialists say.
Consider these assertions by the authors:
- The hackers, Kevin D. Mitnick and Leonard DiCicco, exploited weaknesses in
Digital's security procedures and penetrated computers at its software
development center in Nashua - with the unwitting help of an employee.
- While rummaging through the Digital network, Mitnick and DiCicco found a
program that West German hackers had previously used to steal access passwords
from VAX computers installed at the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration. The California hackers used the program to capture passwords
from computers on Digital's network.
- Mitnick and DiCicco "downloaded" the VMS program using one of the few
Digital network computers connected to the outside world via a high-speed
modem.
But certainly the most troublesome disclosure is that the hackers made off
with VMS in a format called source code, in which detailed information on how
to break into VAX computers could be discovered. Like other computer makers,
Digital supplies VMS to its customers in a format called machine code, the
strings of ones and zeros that are easy for the computer to read and are
nearly indecipherable by humans. Source code is written in computer languages
that are much easier for programmers to understand.
"If somebody takes your source code, you don't know what they are going to
do with it. There is a lot of potential for them to hurt you," said one
computer security specialist.
Added Harold Highland, a retired computer science professor and a specialist
on computer break-ins: A source copy of VMS "gives anybody who really wants to
break into a [Digital] system the front door key."
Perhaps the most damaging act a hacker could perpetrate with knowledge
gained from source code would be to design and plant a program that could
escape detection and destroy data stored on the computer, the specialists
said.
Luckily for Digital, Mitnick and DiCicco had no plans to plant such a
program or sell pirated copies of VMS, for which Digital charges up to
$360,000. According to "Cyberpunk," Mitnick, who masterminded the break-ins,
was motivated by "both the challenge of the hack itself and his intellectual
curiosity about such a complex and advanced program."
Nikki Richardson, a Digital spokeswoman, was quick to add that the company
routinely sells VMS source code, primarily to software developers who use it
to write programs for the VAX. She said Digital checked each of the millions
of lines of source code it has to make sure nothing was altered. And Peter
Neumann, a computer scientist at SRI Internation, a think tank in Menlo Park,
Calif., noted that hackers can break into a computer and do damage without
access to the system's source code.
Yet Hafner believes Digital tried to downplay the incident to limit
publicity that would make it and its computers look vulnerable to hackers.
That may explain why Mitnick, who was arrested in December 1988, after DiCicco
set up a sting operation for the FBI, wad not charged with stealing VMS.
Instead, he was indicted with the theft of a Digital security program that he
also found in his travels through the company's network, as well as stealing
long-distance telephone access codes.
Also, Hafner said Digital refused to answer questions about the incident for
the book, and she was told by sources inside the company that a memo was sent
to employees familiar with the hackers' actions instructing them not to talk to
her.
VNS TECHNOLOGY WATCH: [Mike Taylor, VNS Correspondent]
===================== [Littleton, MA, USA ]
Looking Back in Datamation
10 years ago
In 1981, Data General Corp. was trying to pull itself out of
a three year downturn. The mini maker was spending $200 million
to turn itself into a soup to nuts manufacturer of everything
from semiconductors to software to peripherals. DG president
Edson de Castro reasoned that "the minicomputer business would
go the way of the auto industry of the late 1920s ... A few full
fully integrated concerns would emerge from a lot of companies
making bits and pieces."
{Datamation July 15, 1991}
30 years ago
Concerned about inaccuracies about whether automation would cause
widespread unemployment, Datamation in July 1961 stepped in to
clarify the issue. "A telephone is not a computer, nor is a
photocopying machine, a ball point pen, or a machine which gums
labels... Computers are not likely to replace these office tools
or the people who use them." We assured the public that the
encroachment of EDP into "sausage manufacturing, raisin growing,
wine tasting, and stuffing tooth paste into tubes of varying
dimensions ... should be viewed as threats to national employment."
{Datamation July 15, 1991}
VNS UK SPORTS REPORT: [Ken Merrick, VNS Sports Desk]
===================== [Valbonne, France ]
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
* NOTE * - I will be taking some holiday this month - the next sports desk will
be on August 19th.
Today - 10 Years of VNS, Cricket, Cycling, Football, Motor Cycling, Motor Sport
Rugby Union
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
[] 10 Years of VNS
To celebrate 10 years of VNS, here is a brief look at what happened in
1981...
Cricket
- Nottinghamshire were Schweppes County Champions. The John Player
sunday league title went to Essex and Derbyshire (Gillette Cup) and
Somerset (Benson and Hedges Cup) took the other trophies.
Engalnd beat Australia in a Test Match.
Cycling
- Bernard Hinault won the Tour de France.
Football
- In England, Aston Villa were 1980-81 League Champions with Tottenham
Hotspur FA Cup holders. Celtic took the Scottish League title, while
Rangers won the cup. Liverpool were European Cup winners with Ipswich
Town winning the UEFA cup.
Horse Racing
- Shergar, ridden by Walter Swinburn, won the Derby for the Aga Khan. It
was a memorable Grand National with Aldaniti, ridden by Bob Champion,
the winners.
Motor Sport
- Nelson Piquet was world champion.
Rugby League
- Bradford Northern were League Champions. In the Challenge Cup, Widnes were
the victors.
Rowing
- Oxford won the boat-race by eight lengths.
Rugby Union
- France were Five Nations champions while Northumberland triumphed
in the Thorn-EMI county Championship.
Snooker
- Steve Davis took his first World Championship and also the UK Professional
title.
Tennis
- Chris Lloyd and John McEnroe were the Wimbledon singles winners. McEnroe
and Peter Fleming won the men's doubles and Martina Navratilova
with Pam Shriver took the women's title.
[] CRICKET
Sky Televison have secured exclusive rights for the live British coverage of
next year's World Cup, which is being played in Australia and New Zealand in
February and March.
[] CYCLING
Eric Van Lancker won the Wincanton Classic, the sixth stage of the Perrier
World Cup over a 234.5 km course near Brighton. Van Lancker was 29 seconds
ahead of Rolf Golz with Jan Goesens third and Gilles Dellon fourth.
Giani Bugno is the leader in the Tour de Burgos after yesterdays 181km
second stage. Pedro Delgado is second with Martin Farfan third.
[] FOOTBALL
Aston Villa have completed the signing of 22yr-old Steve Staunton.
Liverpool's Republic of Ireland international, for 1.1 million.
Paul Parker, the Queen's Park Rangers defender, has joined Manchester United
for 1.7 million. Another defender moving to Manchester is Keith Curle, who
has joined Manchester City from Wimbledon.
Former Reading captain, Martin Hicks, has turned down a new contract and
is expected to leave the club. Also on the move is Everton midfielder Neil
McDonald, who has been granted a transfer request.
Wales will meet from Brazil on 11 September at Cardiff Arms Park in a match
to celebrate the new floodlights.
Former Argentina manager, Cesar Menotti, has been appointed manager of
Mexico.
Odense centre-half, Johnny Hansen, has joined Ajax.
[] MOTOR CYCLING
British Grand Prix, Donnington
The American rider, Kevin Schwantz, won his third consecutive British Grand
Prix at Donnington. Schwantz (Suzuki) had set fastest time in
the last practise session, but it was World Champion Wayne Rainey who led for
most of the race; Schwantz took the lead twolaps from the end.
Full result:
1. Kevin Schwantz (Suzuki) ....... 47'12"182
2. Wayne Rainey (Yamaha) ......... 47'12"970
3. Michael Doohan (Honda) ........ 47'31"370
4. John Kocinski (Yamaha) ........ 47'37"030
5. Wayne Gardner (Honda) ......... 47'41"790
6. Eddie Lawson (Cagiva) ......... 47'43"360
7. Niall MacKenzie (Yamaha) ...... 47'47"530
Championship placings:
1. Rainey ....... 185pts
2. Doohan ....... 175
3. Schwantz ..... 156
4. Lawson ....... 118
5. Gardner ...... 113
[] MOTOR SPORT
Ayrton Senna has been testing a McLaren-Honda at Silverstone with an
automatic gearbox. Gerard Berger is scheduled to continue the testing this
week. Also at Silverstone, Damon Hill has continued with the active
suspension Williams-Renault. Active suspension is also beingtested by
Ferrari at Imola, where Jean Alesi has used the 642 in both normal and active
set-ups. Alain Prost has continued testing with the 543 fitted with the
development engine - 291/3. He covered 67 laps (340kms), more than a Grand
Prix distance, to test reliability, and set a new lap record of 1'26"37 on
race tyres.
A Nissan-Skyline GT-R won the 24-hrs race at Spa. The car, driven by Anders
Olofsson, Naoka Hattori and David Brabham, finished ahead of two Porsche
911's.
At Magny-Cours, Footwork continue to have problems withtheir
Porsche engines. The latest development from the German company broke after
a Stefan Johansson attempted a qualification-time lap.
[] RUGBY UNION
The Welsh Rugby Union have appointed the Nottingham coach, Alan Davies, as
coach. Davis, the former England B coach, will team-up with team manager
Robert Nortser with the aim of restoring some pride in Welsh Rugby.
Courage League club Gloucester will play in the annual Boston (US)
tournament next year.
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<><><><><><><><> VNS Edition : 2380 Monday 5-Aug-1991 <><><><><><><><>
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