Hello again!                           
                                         
  This is the 1997 Christmas issue of the
  8BS magazine. We had planned an amazing
  mother of all demos for this issue, but
  unfortunately, nothing came of it due  
  to the volunteer programmers not       
  finding time to do it.                 
                                         
  So instead, as a consolation, I have   
  compiled a Christmas disc, TBI-117. The
  first 150 lucky recipients of the 5.25"
  version 8BS magazine will also receive 
  a FREE copy of TBI-117, which is DFS   
  only by the way. The reason for 5.25"  
  only is that I have a surplus of tatty 
  5.25" discs, unfortunately 3.5" discs  
  come dear, any member using 3.5" is    
  welcome to a free copy of TBI-117      
  before Christmas as long as they send a
  formatted disc AND p+p.                
                                         
  I know that the free discs I am sending
  out are a bit old and tatty, but they  
  are FREE, if you have any problems with
  them, please send one of your own discs
  and p+p for a replacement.             
                                         
  I am aware that some of you had very   
  strong feelings about the 'cookies' on 
  issue 59. I can assure you that this   
  will not happen again.                 
                                         
  Some of you may be wondering what      
  happenned to the double DFS issues.    
  There are a number of reasons for my   
  having reverted back to single DFS     
  issues. The main one being I feel      
  happier with the single issue. Messages
  and articles will take preference over 
  software if there is shortage of space.
  Everything was too unwieldy for me with
  double issues. The 8BS drawer is       
  rapidly running out of space for discs.
  Submissions had dropped off during the 
  summer and the two discs were becoming 
  less full.                             
                                         
  You must get your submissions to me    
  well before the deadline date to avoid 
  disappointment. Many submissions arrive
  just around the deadline date. This has
  the effect of giving me a lot of work  
  all in one go. More recently, I have   
  allowed a small backlog of submissions 
  to build up, leaving larger submissions
  sent close to the deadline until the   
  next issue. All submissions will       
  eventually be used, if your submission 
  does not make the issue, it will be on 
  the following one.                     
                                         
  Mutiny? I have had one or two reports  
  back that there are mutterings about   
  the demise of 8BS. This is the first I 
  have heard of it! If you have any      
  problems with 8BS. TALK TO ME! I will  
  then do something about it. It is no   
  good wittering in the background is it?
                                         
  Me. I am a Paramedic working 12 hour   
  shifts for the Humberside Ambulance    
  Service. You can find out when to ring 
  me if you examine the shift calculator 
  on 8BS 59.                             
                                         
  Have a good Christmas. See you next    
  time. Chris.