Chief Shepherd

Can software be “Christian” or “non-christian”?

Isn’t software just a bunch of lines of code? How can it be considered as “Christian”? Matthew Miller (Tech writer for ZD Net) received a LOT of “flames” (strongly negative comments) for writing on the subject of “Christian” software. I was one of a small minority of Matthew’s defenders. Read the article (and flames) here.

When I first started distributing Christian shareware products via FidoNet (circa 1987/88 — which was before ordinary people could access the Internet), I was asked that question MANY times. The answer is, yes — based upon its primary purpose. If the software is primarily intended to serve Christians and their unique computing needs, then it is “Christian” software.

In January of 1990, I created an international network of computer Bulletin Board Systems (BBS) using the FidoNet.0rg technology and sending everything over modems & telephone lines. It was called the “Christian distribution Network.” I incorporated the organization as a non-profit business in the State of Louisiana, USA under the name “Christian Distribution Network, Inc.” We used the acronym CDN and had around 300 “nodes” or BBSes who participated.

This article is a history of that organization and how it relates to the Chief Shepherd website. It is a bit long but I feel that I need to record some of the history before it is lost. If you are interested, just push the “read more” button.CDN was a member of both  FidoNet and FamilyNet.  FamilyNet was a large group of g-rated bbs’s. Here is a quote from the online history of FamilyNet (you may read the entire article here.)

There are several special interest nets within FamilyNet. One is the Christian Distribution Network (CDN), which is a files distribution network for sharing Christian-based resources (software) and echomail areas. CDN uses the same file distribution technology as SDN in FidoNet, and CDN file areas and echoes are available from the FidoNet backbone, as well as in FamilyNet. At the time of writing, there were 300 nodes in CDN. The Host Node for CDN is The Preacher Online (1:394/1 in FidoNet, 8:200/0 in FamilyNet.)

BTW, “The Preacher Online” was the name of my first BBS which was the starting point of the CDN. I stopped using that designation (for ideological reasons) and eventually settled on the name “Chief Shepherd” for my BBS, then for the email mail list, and finally for the website.

In 1992, the Morning Star Magazine was the premier Christian magazine being published in electronic format. Its primary distribution channel was our CDN network. Here is a feature article that I wrote for their Oct, 1992 issue (read the entire issue here).

(Note: this is a lengthy article and  you may wish to just scan it. However, since this is the history of the CDN, I felt I should include it because it is the best description of  the CDN from that time. It also answers the question of “Christian” software.)

THE CHRISTIAN DISTRIBUTION NETWORK
By Ray Waldo
Loranger, LA.

The Christian Distribution Network (CDN) is a computer-based system for distributing computer software and text files to computer users who wish to use their computers for some phase of Christian undertaking. The CDN project was begun by Ray Waldo as a ministry to such computer users.

Although it is illegal to share most commercial software, the CDN project distributes what is commonly called “shareware” or “freeware”. The developers of both types of software encourage the copying and redistribution of their software. Authors of “Shareware” generally request that those who continue to use their software send a registration fee while “freeware” authors generally ask only that users send them a post card to establish themselves as a user.

A good example of freeware is the Christian Magazine you are reading called “Morning Star”.

With approximately 120 computer Bulletin Board Systems (BBS) connected via their dial-up telephone modems, the Christian Distribution Network is now international and offers its services on several continents. Very likely, there is a member node (BBS) nearby where ever you may be.

A common question is “How do I make ‘1-2-3′ [this was the dos spreadsheet application prior to MS Excel] to be ‘Christian?’” Actually, some very creative software has been developed because of the CDN. Not only does the Project distribute Bible concordance software, Church/Parish member tracking and business software, etc. but it even carries a graphics-oriented aid to evangelism and a Christian-based BBS software package. The network maintains a database program for organizing the published music pieces and the Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) files to play hundreds of songs for contemporary and standard Christian music including the entire Canadian Hymnal. Recently, the network distributed a program to help Christians in memorizing facts such as the books of the Bible. Monthly computer-based electronic “magazines” (such as “Morning Star”) round out the fare offered by the network.

The CDN project continues in the same “hobby spirit” as the SDNET/Works! (Sm) Project (Meriden, CT) from which it germinated. CDN uses the filename extensions “.SDN” , “.SDA”, and “Security Envelope” (supplied by Nogate Consulting) through a license from the SDN project. The SDN extension refers to an archived package that is electronically “Shrink wrapped” with a special seal that, once opened, cannot be replaced — thus assuring that the package is original and has not been tampered with. This seal helps prevent you the computer user from obtaining a program through this network which has been tampered with by adding a virus to it.

The major method computer viruses are injected into computers is through illegally tampering with an existing program and adding the “virus” program to it. The “security envelope” can be tested by the end user to assure the file’s authenticity and by that assure the user that the software is virus-free.

Although most of the CDN’s programs are shared when a user calls a local computer BBS using his or her modem, some users prefer to exchange floppy disks. Therefore, the CDN has set up specific nodes that offer such service. For example, recently the on-line Bible program (14 each, 360k diskettes) was made available to those interested through postal distribution.

Some overseas systems also require floppy transfers of the larger files.

There are several types of CDN members, based on the requirements for each node level. Full members fly the CDN user flag in the nodelist for whatever network they are a participant.

Full members must carry all program file areas, maintain files for a specified length of time, and not change the compression type or remove the Security Envelope during the specified minimum time. Limited members do not fly the CDN flag and are not required to carry all program file areas. “Recipients” are the end users and their participation in the CDN is limited.

CDN operates in several hobby computer networks:
Family Net International (FNI)
Agapelink Christian Network (ACN)

The CDN was widely respected and was listed in the November 1994 issue of “Who’s Who in Shareware.” See that issue here. The network even came under the ire of Planned Parenthood who called us an “occult” network. <grin> Here is a quote from a 1993 article that the group published (found here).

The following companies support planned parenthood and the right to
choose abortion. Please write to them and thank them for their support.
Special thanks goes to FidoNet's occult network "Christian Distribution
Network" for providing this list.   -- drice   May 31, 1993

An  extended article was published about the CDN project in the May, 1990 issue of Fidonet News (read it here). Here is a small quote from that publication:

From time to time, CDN makes certain large files available through postal distribution. For example, recently the Online Bible (13  360K diskettes) was considered too large to distribute by modem, so it was made available to those interested through postal distribution.  The package went to the first SysOp on the list, who sent it to the next, and so on until it was returned to Ray.

This may have been the first public mention of our association with the OnLine Bible program.  The OnLine Bible (OLB) was our “biggest seller” (actually, by definition, all software was delivered by CDN members totally free of charge). Larry Pierce (OnlineBible developer) and I have continued an almost 20 year relationship as a result of our distribution of his software. In my opinion, the OLB was, and still is, the best Bible Study software at any price – and it is totally free (except for some copyrighted Bibles & commentaries whose publishers require a royalty – and some other very unique extras.) I plan to write a review of the OLB very soon but here, I just wanted to establish the history of my relationship with the software and its developer.

The CDN project’s mission was to distribute Christian resources via computers and networks using the most current technology. Although this website is not directly related to the Christian Distribution Network, Inc’s business model or the corporation by that name, the mission of CDN is also the primary mission of the Chief Shepherd website located at http://chiefshepherd.com. So, this site traces its roots back over 20 years!