**>> SPYNET BULLETIN
 **>> EARTHDATE 95.01.15
 **>> 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!


 **>> THE LONELINESS OF THE LONG-DISTANCE PROGRAMMER

Over the past few months, Fed has suffered from a spate of "mystery"
crashes. Despite searching for probable causes, Bella was rather stumped
about what, exactly, was making the game crash.

One night last week, the game crashed again, and for the first time
there was some evidence about what had actually caused the problem.
Bella used these clues and figured out what the problem was. She did try
to explain it to us, but our eyes sort of glazed over when she got all
technical and started talking about broken pipes and sockets (we thought
she was a programmer, not a plumber)! Suffice to say that the problem
was something deep in the heart of the way Fed interacts with the
operating system of the machine it runs on.

Bella put some fixes in that would, she hoped, solve the problem.
Unfortunately, although the fixes did cure the problem that was making
the game crash, they revealed a deeper problem, and on Friday night the
game locked up completely - it didn't just crash and come back up again,
it went into a complete spin and was unavailable for several hours.

Bella's back on the trail of the problem. She says she knows what the
problem is, and will be putting in some more fixes tonight that, she
hopes, will fix the problem again. Please all keep your fingers (or
equivalent) crossed that this time she's done it.

Meanwhile, we do apologise for the inconvenience caused by the crashes,
and by Fed being unavailable for part of Friday. Thank you all for
bearing with us while the last problems are nailed down.


 **>> FACTORY PROBLEM?

A number of people have submitted reports that although factories are now
continuing to run after the owner logs off the game, they are not directing
the output correctly to the specified destination.

Bella is aware of the problem, and will be looking at it tomorrow - so you
don't need to keep sending bug reports for this.


 **>> TERMS AND CONDITIONS

A few people have commented recently that our terms and conditions
(available on the game menu) are rather vague, and wouldn't it be better
to have some more definite rules about what is and isn't allowed?

Our philosophy is that we wish to treat our player as mature, adult
people (that's why we call it the adult space fantasy). We expect our
players to know how to behave in a civilized manner, how to interact
with other people sensibly, how to get along without causing problems.
As such, we don't want to have definite rules and guidelines that
proscribe your behaviour down to the last detail.

It's very rare for someone to persistently behave in an antisocial
manner in Fed. Because it's so rare, we don't want the rest of the
players to be penalised, by having privileges taken away from them just
because someone, once, abused them - or someone, one day, might abuse
them.

Instead, if someone behaves in an antisocial manner, or abuses a
privilege in Fed, we give them a more clearcut set of rules to follow,
so there is no confusion about what they should or should not do in Fed.

We hope you enjoy the free and easy atmosphere in Fed that this
engenders.


 **>> EYE SPY WITH MY LITTLE EYE...

Bella has almost finished working on the first part of the spyring code,
and she'll be putting it into the game as soon as she is sure the crash
problem is sorted out - hopefully later this week.

Spyrings are one type of unit that a Duke or Senator can set up, and
their purpose is to get information. In the first instance, they will be
able to obtain data about planet economies. The kind of information they
might give is one of the digests, or the full planet display. Later,
they will be able to get information about companies, factories and
duchies, too.

Planet-owners will not be defenceless in the face of this espionage.
There are many things you can do to make it more difficult for spyrings
to operate successfully against them.

The most obvious is to invest in security. The more security investment,
the more chance that a spyring operating on your planet will be caught.
Having a naval base situated on your planet also makes it more secure...
and if the base is at yellow alert it will be more effective at catching
spies, and even more so at red alert.

Spyrings will be more efficient if their owner has an embassy on your
planet. However, embassies can be used for benign purposes, such as
granting aid, so don't assume that the presence of an embassy means
someone is out to get you!

We'll give full details of how spyrings will work when the code actually
goes in.


 **>> ORGANISE FOR PROFIT

Planet-owners, if you're worried about effect that workthing consumption
is having on your planet, don't just rely on your own hauling efforts to
keep your population. Now is the time to start setting up teams of
lower-ranking players to help you - you don't have to do all the work
yourself, or spend hours in Fed DataSpace overseeing your planet, in
order to continue running a successful world.

Come to arrangements with traders to haul in goods that you are short
of. Consider lowering the markup on those goods to make the sale
particularly attractive.

Encourage CEOs to build factories on your world that produce the goods
you need.

Ask your Duke to help you co-ordinate with other planet-owners in the
duchy. Your shortages may be their surplusses, so lucrative trade-routes
between the planets can be set up to benefit everyone.


 **>> SOAP OPERAS OR BOXES?

Lately the denizens of Federation DataSpace have been climbing up on the
stage, singing out their opinions, and amplifying the feelings of moral
outrage through all channels available. Lower ranks are demanding
orchestrated efforts by the higher ranks to bring about a peaceful
harmony that has long been at discord in society. 

Is it only the lower ranks speaking up about this? Indeed not, for in
CD's and over open comms Mira was seen high on her Soap Box speaking out
against lack of respect, moral integrity, and social structure. 'Anarchy
is NOT a healthy state to live in!' As her words moved across the stale
air, voices were heard confirming and encouraging her speech with hoots
of 'Yeah!' and 'Say it like it is, sister!'

Where are the people whose job it IS to establish social structure? Why
is the oppressed multitude keeping silent? Who should take the stand and
speak up? The answers to these questions should lie in everyone's mind,
to be answered on a personal level!


 **>> CORRECTION

Captain Jake has contacted us about the story we ran last week, covering
his encounter with the homicidal Tellurani.

He says that he was the one to give Rani the time of HER life - not the
other way round! He also says that she didn't fire on him, it was just
her brother. Finally, he says he likes dangerous and sexy women, so if
there are any more out there, please form an orderly queue.


 **>> THE ULTIMATE POWER

Last week our political correspondent speculated that Marcia might throw
her hat into the ring and stand for Empereuse. This week, she confirmed
the rumours and tossed her rather attractive floral bonnet into the
fray.

"Yes, I have decided to stand for Empereuse," she told our newsdroid.
"The pressure from my supporters has been overwhelming, and I cannot let
them down. It's not that I want to be Empereuse, not for my own
aggrandisement or personal gain, but I know I can do so much good for
the down-trodden masses in the Galaxy. Power doesn't interest me in
itself, but as a tool to do good, to right wrongs, to defend the weak
against injustice, I have no option but to take hold and wield it in the
fight for righteousness. It is a far, far better thing that I do now..."

At this point we dragged would-be Empereuse Marcia off her soapbox and
sent her to have a nice lie-down in a darkened room.

Zagmar officially told us that his duchy will support Marcia in the
voting. Nightstalker also told us that he will be throwing his weight
behind her campaign, since his duchy members did not want him to support
Topper.

Tellurian announced that he would definitely not be standing for
Emperor. Our guess is that he sees himself becoming the power behind
someone else's throne. Indeed, he seems to want to invent a new role for
himself, following the recent shrivelling of his powerbase as head of
the Church of Pegasus, and was seen lobbying Bella to appoint him as
Pope!

Barberousse has made his first campaign speech, which we print below.

Topper hasn't made any statement about his policies should he be elected
Emperor. Will he be campaigning at all? We don't know.

Other candidates will be immensely relieved to know that Briefcase will
not be rushing to become a Senator in order to stand for Emperor. Phew!

No-one else has declared themselves as a candidate - remember, we'll
print any campaign information in the news, so send it in. At the moment
it looks like a straight fight between Marcia (supported by Nightstalker
and Zagmar) and Barberousse (supported by Amigan, Budwarp and possibly
Sean). But remember that people may not have been telling us the truth
about who they support, and the actual election may give very different
results from the opinion polls.

But what of the media, you ask? Upon whom does this mighty organ of the
press thrust its support? Well, after careful consideration, weighing up
the facts and evidence, balancing the merits of the candidates,
reviewing their past behaviour and thinking carefully about who would be
best for Fed DataSpace, we said "to hell with it" and decided to support
the person who'd given us the biggest bribe. So, we have no hesitation
in declaring that the Senator who most deserves to be Emperor, who you
should all vote for, is none other than Santa.


 **>> BARBEROUSSE'S CAMPAIGN SPEECH

Fellow sentients: In this new era of NewFed, with new codes and a new
role, that of Emperor, it is only fitting that we usher in this new age
with a new outlook on things.

It is in the spirit of change and new ideas that I announce my candidacy
for the position of Emperor.

If elected, I shall live by that spirit by showing the respect that each
citizen of Federation deserves. A true leader is a servant of the
people, and I will do everything to do just that: to serve as your
leader.

To this end, I pledge the following:

1. I will respect the people's choice in whom they elect as Emperor;
this means that if I am elected, I will not seek retribution against
those who did not feel I was the sentient for the job. In other words,
if you didn't vote for me, I won't come after you unless I am
provoked/threatened.

2. Since the Emperor will have new powers, I pledge not to use these
powers to harm/harrass people at my whim. Instead, I will use them to
maintain the security and integrity of the Federation.

3. I am opposed to some of the Imperial powers, such as flogging (are
you aware that you can be summoned before the Emperor, and flogged to
within an
inch of your life?). If elected, I will work to remove such flagrant
abuses of the individual Fed citizen's rights.

4. Since the Emperor will manage all the Sol planets, I pledge to run
them in such a way that there will be no unreasonable competition with
the player-planets.

5. Lastly, I will reduce Sol tariffs for the benefit of the trader
population.

I have always respected the individual codes of behavior that each
sentient in Fed has adopted, diverse as they may be. I know that there
is a middle ground that would enable all to live as they chose, without
inconveniencing those around them. I ask that you elect me as Emperor,
and help me find that path to peaceful co-existence.

They say you can judge a being by the company he or she keeps, and it is
true that I have surrounded myself in the past and in the present, with
an assortment of interesting, high-profile people. I wish to assure all
of you that the policies, the beliefs, and the plans that I embrace are
my own, not anyone else's. While any of my friends and acquaintances are
free to give me advice, I am just as free to not follow it, especially
if it proved harmful to the citizens of the Federation. As Emperor, my
first loyalty would be to my subjects, not my friends.

In conclusion, I wish to remind all of you that the First Emperor of
Federation is a very crucial role, for it will set precedent for future
Emperors. If you elect someone who will trample on your individual
rights, then even when they are gone, future Emperors will do the same,
and point to the First Emperor as their "inspiration", legitimising
their own horrendous actions.

All I ask is that your vote be a well-informed, well-thought choice.
Vote smart, and whoever is put in office, watch them closely and make
sure they are held accountable to you. I would welcome such scrutiny; I
have nothing to hide.

Thank you for your time, and remember me in the elections.

     Barberousse, The French


 **>> PLANETS AND DUCHIES

Bgg's new planet, Cafe linked into the game. At last, a full planet for
us to review! Well done, Bgg. Our explorer droid's review is below.
(Incidentally, we note from the review that no sooner had Bgg logged on
and visited his planet, but he died on it. Carelessness, sheer
carelessness!)

Bgg signed up with Zagmar's duchy of Valaria, adding more support to
Marcia's bid for ultimate power.

Silas' Silo and Galena's Mallavia both advanced to Mining level, while
Dierdre's Cove became a Technical planet.


 **>> YOUR TABLE IS WAITING

This past week, a new planet appeared in the heavens of Federation
DataSpace, and obviously Squire Bgg took the dire warnings of our
beloved Editrix to heart, and put in a full planet.

Despite a bit of a bumpy start (early versions got you trapped places),
when this explorer-droid went visiting, things seemed to be working just
fine on Cafe.

Cafe is a planet devoted to that favorite of all human pastimes (well,
just past sex, that is) - eating! Good thing I had a press pass, since
droids as a general rule get shown the back door when they poke their
nose (or equivalent) into restaurants! Because Cafe is just loaded with
them.

Just to the east of the LP, there is a teleporter pad, for taking you to
different areas of the planet. Not only can you visit a very nice tea
garden, and a fancy hotel, but you can even visit the service area of
the planet, the place that provides all the food for the many many
restaurants and eating establishments of Cafe. You just have to watch
out for all the hover trucks, this droid very nearly didn't make it out
intact!

There's a hint of a puzzle, and a number of mobiles populating the place
- some of them rather snooty. The maitre-d was just about ready to throw
yours truly out on its electronic ascii! All in all, a fun place to
visit - and you're not likely to starve here, either!


 **>> SPYNET REVIEW

Once again, the data-collection droid fails in its duty and loses some
of the promotion information. (For the technical among you: when the
game closes down normally, the contents of the review is dumped into
Hazed's sendmail before it's wiped clean. If the game crashes, the
information gets lost.)

So here are the promotions we do know about! Apologies if you got missed
out.

The new Captains were Eziekiel, Siobhan (back from the dead), Gap,
Camille, Kain, Ghostofpink, Greybeard, Quijote, Cassidous, Mahoney,
Gazoo and Kate.

Cleric, Gunnar, Siobhan, Bodie and Kain were promoted to Adventurer or
Adventureuse.

The Traders Guild admitted Gunnar, Gigo, Rosinante and Cleric to its
membership.

Iakona and Cygnus solved the awesome JP puzzle.

The fiendish GM puzzle proved no match for the mighty brains of Sorak
and Iakona, both of whom moved on to become Explorers.

Bgg became a Squire as his new planet was linked to the game.

Silas and Galena were promoted to Thane, and Dierdre to Technocrat.

Explorer Siobhan went dead-dead - very sad, except it was pure
stupidity! She decided to go and insure on Maxwell's planet, confident
she knew the planet so well there was no risk of her dying on the way to
the insurance office, so she sold her ship and travelled there... only
to make a wrong move and be bitten by a vampire! She's working her way
back up the ranks, and being much more careful now.


 **>> 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.

The current Federation Party Hosts are: Mira, Redqueen, Caterpillar and
Lyrynna. Their function is to answer questions, help new players get
started, and make fun things happen.

In the event of a problem or question, you can:

 * talk to Hazed or one of the Party Hosts in the game

 * <SEND> a message to Hazed

 * send mail on your host system to the Federation team:
   on GEnie, mail FEDII.2 or use the option on the main Fed page
   on Delphi, mail FED2 or use the option on the main Fed page
   on Cris, mail FEDERATION2


 **>> BULLETIN ENDS