1527 lines
65 KiB
Plaintext
1527 lines
65 KiB
Plaintext
F I D O N E W S Volume 16, Number 09 01 March 1999
|
||
+----------------------------+---------------------------------------+
|
||
| The newsletter of the | ISSN 1198-4589 Published by: |
|
||
| FidoNet community | "FidoNews" |
|
||
| _ | +27-41-581-5913 [5:5/23] |
|
||
| / \ | |
|
||
| /|oo \ | |
|
||
| (_| /_) | |
|
||
| _`@/_ \ _ | |
|
||
| | | \ \\ | Editor: |
|
||
| | (*) | \ )) | Henk Wolsink 5:7104/2 |
|
||
| |__U__| / \// | |
|
||
| _//|| _\ / | |
|
||
| (_/(_|(____/ | |
|
||
| (jm) | Newspapers should have no friends. |
|
||
| | -- JOSEPH PULITZER |
|
||
+----------------------------+---------------------------------------+
|
||
| Submission address: FidoNews Editor 5:5/23 |
|
||
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
|
||
| MORE addresses: |
|
||
| |
|
||
| submissions=> editor@fidonews.org |
|
||
| hwolsink@catpe.alt.za |
|
||
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
|
||
| For information, copyrights, article submissions, |
|
||
| obtaining copies of FidoNews or the internet gateway FAQ |
|
||
| please refer to the end of this file. |
|
||
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
|
||
|
||
|
||
Table of Contents
|
||
1. EDITORIAL ................................................ 1
|
||
2. GUEST EDITORIAL .......................................... 2
|
||
Announcing Candidacy for Z1C... maybe .................... 2
|
||
What's Not Happening - Elections ......................... 2
|
||
3. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR .................................... 5
|
||
SPAM-lite in FidoNews? Ptooie! .......................... 5
|
||
4. ARTICLES ................................................. 6
|
||
Grunged Echomail Deleted (a Response) .................... 6
|
||
Letter from a concerned reader? .......................... 6
|
||
The Shrinking Nodelist - What can be done? ............... 7
|
||
Zone 1 Backbone Service Level Agreement .................. 8
|
||
5. COLUMNS .................................................. 20
|
||
ECHO TALK - Monkey Business .............................. 20
|
||
6. NOTICES .................................................. 21
|
||
7. FIDONET BY INTERNET ...................................... 22
|
||
8. FIDONEWS INFORMATION ..................................... 26
|
||
FIDONEWS 16-09 Page 1 1 Mar 1999
|
||
|
||
|
||
=================================================================
|
||
EDITORIAL
|
||
=================================================================
|
||
|
||
Greetings,
|
||
|
||
On my question in the 16-07 issue about Z2 and in particular R29,
|
||
I received a very interesting e-mail from a SysOp there.
|
||
|
||
It seems, that the Z2C just wants to show how big or is it small,
|
||
he can be. What a great pity. As the saying goes: it takes all
|
||
kinds to make the world go round. ;-)
|
||
|
||
Since I do have the full message and the authors name here on file,
|
||
he has given permission to use it.
|
||
|
||
Some interesting articles this week. From a message I saw, Bob
|
||
Satti has decided not stand for another term as Z1C. Thats the
|
||
spirit Bob, one should not have two *C positions as far as I'm
|
||
concerned. ;-)
|
||
|
||
Happy reading,
|
||
|
||
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
||
FIDONEWS 16-09 Page 2 1 Mar 1999
|
||
|
||
|
||
=================================================================
|
||
GUEST EDITORIAL
|
||
=================================================================
|
||
|
||
|
||
I'm not sure why I'm doing this... you'd think I'd learn. Last year
|
||
I announced a candidacy for the Z1EC election, only to find that the
|
||
election I'd expected never happened. Things are different this
|
||
year, though. In announcing for the Z1C sysop-level election, I'm
|
||
not expecting it to be held. In fact, there's been no hint from the
|
||
Zone 1 RC's, who are empowered by policy to elect a Zone
|
||
Coordinator, that there are any plans afoot, let alone a sysop-level
|
||
election. I'm interpreting the silence from the RC's as an
|
||
indication that Bob Satti will receive a vote of confidence, as
|
||
happened last year, and this will serve as an election for an
|
||
additional two-year term.
|
||
|
||
So why run for an office when I don't expect an open election?
|
||
Mostly because I believe that there should be one. There are at
|
||
least two good reasons for this:
|
||
|
||
1. Fidonet sysops have expressed a consistent desire that
|
||
representative positions be determined by sysop-level election
|
||
rather than by the appointments specified in Policy 4. It's become
|
||
fairly common practice at the NC level and a growing number of RC's
|
||
are elected... but not the ZC.
|
||
|
||
2. Bob Satti currently holds the simultaneous positions of Zone
|
||
Coordinator for Zone 1 and International Coordinator for all of
|
||
Fidonet. One of these positions is more than enough for one man -
|
||
it's time to let go.
|
||
|
||
Whether there is an open election or not, I intend to start acting
|
||
like a candidate. Currently I plan to discuss two issues which I
|
||
consider core to the ZC position - the shrinking nodelist and the
|
||
subject of elections. Following those discussions, I'll try to
|
||
follow up on whatever feedback comes from echomail and netmail.
|
||
|
||
One outcome I'd like to see from this announcement is the
|
||
encouragement of other candidates to announce so we can get a real
|
||
forum going. Perhaps Bob Satti will even join us. I'd especially
|
||
like to see the sysops of Fidonet actually conduct an open election
|
||
themselves rather than waiting for the RC's to make a decision.
|
||
Such an election would not be binding on the RC's of course, but
|
||
would effectively communicate to them the expectations of the
|
||
sysops. Hopefully the RC's would realize that this is a healthy
|
||
process, and seriously consider it.
|
||
|
||
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
||
|
||
What's Not Happening - Elections
|
||
|
||
.-- -- -- -- -- -- WHAT'S NOT HAPPENING -- -- -- -- -- --.
|
||
| There isn't always something happening on Fidonet, but |
|
||
| there's always something which isn't happening. This |
|
||
FIDONEWS 16-09 Page 3 1 Mar 1999
|
||
|
||
|
||
| column is dedicated to the lost causes which make Fido |
|
||
| what it isn't today. Published semi-occasionally... |
|
||
`-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --'
|
||
Douglas Myers 1:279/720 doug@mdtnbbs.com
|
||
|
||
Perennial sport in the Fido echoes is the roasting of non-elected
|
||
coordinators. Currently, Martin Belcke (Regional Coordinator of
|
||
Region 11) is the recipient of the honors, but he shares the
|
||
limelight on a rotating basis with Dallas Hinton (RC17) and Bob
|
||
Satti (Zone 1 Coordinator and International Coordinator), with
|
||
occasional guest appearances by other notables.
|
||
|
||
In all fairness, the criticism doesn't center on Martin's
|
||
performance as RC. Indications are that he does a good job in that
|
||
capacity, and probably enjoys widespread support in his own region.
|
||
The criticism centers on a deep-seated conviction on the part of
|
||
many that representative positions in Fido should be determined by
|
||
regularly-scheduled, public elections. Unfortunately, Fido policy
|
||
doesn't actually require elections - all coordinator positions are
|
||
appointments by policy. However, it's become customary for a
|
||
substantial number of these positions to hold public, sysop-level
|
||
elections with the elected candidate then appointed per policy, and
|
||
proponents of elections want that practice uniformly applied.
|
||
|
||
Election advocates make several claims to support their wishes:
|
||
|
||
1. Elections, if uniformly applied, would revitalize Fidonet.
|
||
|
||
This seems highly doubtful to me, as the main reason for
|
||
Fido's shrinking nodelist seems to be the simple fact that
|
||
computer enthusiasts have found the Internet more attractive
|
||
than local BBSes.
|
||
|
||
|
||
2. Elections yield better leaders.
|
||
|
||
This is unsupported, and I doubt that it can be
|
||
demonstrated. However, I believe regularly-scheduled
|
||
elections encourage some minimum of responsiveness from
|
||
representatives, or - at least - provide a means for their
|
||
removal at the next election if unsatisfactory.
|
||
|
||
|
||
3. Elections "validate" a coordinator.
|
||
|
||
This seems to be the strongest argument for elections to
|
||
me. No matter how controversial the election, most folks
|
||
recognize a voting process as valid.
|
||
|
||
|
||
Martin and his supporters offer several reasons to decline holding
|
||
an election:
|
||
|
||
1. Sysops in the region have indicated that they don't want an
|
||
election - to hold one would act against the wishes of the majority.
|
||
|
||
FIDONEWS 16-09 Page 4 1 Mar 1999
|
||
|
||
|
||
There does seem to be some validity to the claim that sysops
|
||
in the region are generally satisfied with their present
|
||
representation, or - at least - aren't in open revolt.
|
||
Unfortunately, the basis for that claim isn't solid.
|
||
Surveys have been conducted by both proponents and opponents
|
||
of elections with, supposedly, conflicting results.
|
||
|
||
I suspect that sysops in the region have no desire to elect
|
||
another candidate, but are not necessarily opposed to
|
||
holding elections. It's hard for me to see how an actual
|
||
election would be any more of an imposition than all the
|
||
surveys.
|
||
|
||
|
||
2. Elections are a messy procedure, leading to vocal conflict and
|
||
general disharmony.
|
||
|
||
If they're done right, this is true. However, what's the
|
||
alternative? Morphine injections?
|
||
|
||
|
||
3. Elections don't necessarily lead to agreement; those who
|
||
supported a candidate before still support him, those who didn't
|
||
still don't, and those who didn't care still don't.
|
||
|
||
It's certain that the arguments still go on after an
|
||
election, often with charges of election irregularities.
|
||
Still, most folks eventually concede that the fellow who got
|
||
the most votes should represent.
|
||
|
||
|
||
My prediction is that sysop-level elections for Regions 11 and 17
|
||
and for the Z1C position won't happen in the near future... but they
|
||
should. Not because Fido will somehow be revitalized with
|
||
elections, not because the unelected coordinators have done a poor
|
||
job, but simply because Fido should be in the hands of the sysops
|
||
who are members.
|
||
|
||
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
||
FIDONEWS 16-09 Page 5 1 Mar 1999
|
||
|
||
|
||
=================================================================
|
||
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
|
||
=================================================================
|
||
|
||
|
||
SPAM-lite in FidoNews?
|
||
|
||
Dear Editor:
|
||
|
||
It was with growing dismay that I read the two-page press release
|
||
from Fast Engines, Inc. embedded in FIDO1606.NWS, touting their
|
||
new web server utility. What made it worse was that it was the
|
||
longest "article" in the Snooze -- although that is not the point.
|
||
I'm really very disappointed.
|
||
|
||
I didn't like the idea when you announced in FIDO1547.NWS that you
|
||
would allow ads that related to "BBSs and/or Fidonet", but I assumed
|
||
that you meant it would be limited to commerical products applicable
|
||
to the majority of FidoNet.
|
||
|
||
I assumed wrongly, it seems. Since the simple majority of us still
|
||
run POTS dial-up BBSi and don't run web servers, Fast Engine's
|
||
product has no utility for us. In fact, it amounts to SPAM-lite, if
|
||
you will --a little less salty but it still gets piped directly to
|
||
an audience that didn't solicit the ad, can't use the product, don't
|
||
want it and still must pay to haul and store it.
|
||
|
||
I note that several to the Snooze Editor on this subject were
|
||
published in 1998 (Gary Petersen, Dave Garland in FIDO1523, Doc
|
||
Logger in FIDO1547) and that all of them were objections. When
|
||
Zorch raised the question FIDO1522, he appeared to have qualms about
|
||
the appropriateness of commerical ads. Since the readership has
|
||
commented that it doesn't want commerical ads, I ask that you revise
|
||
your stand and cease publishing them.
|
||
|
||
If I'm hungry for highly processed stuff in a brightly colored
|
||
package, I'll seek it out on my own.
|
||
|
||
Lee Ayrton 1:320/455
|
||
dayrton@mail.welseyan.edu
|
||
|
||
ED: The editor has the right to publish what he/she thinks is
|
||
appropriate for the newsletter.
|
||
I have made it quite clear in the FIDONEWS echo, that I will
|
||
allow advertising, provided it relates to computers and/or
|
||
communication(s).
|
||
No one editor, regardless for which or what publication it might
|
||
be, has the same oppinion about what should or not be placed
|
||
in the their newsletter, magazine or newspaper.
|
||
Your objection has been noted and I appriciate feedback. Thanks.
|
||
|
||
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
||
FIDONEWS 16-09 Page 6 1 Mar 1999
|
||
|
||
|
||
=================================================================
|
||
ARTICLES
|
||
=================================================================
|
||
|
||
|
||
Grunged Echomail Deleted (a Response)
|
||
by Jerry Schwartz 1:142/928
|
||
|
||
A couple of weeks ago, Roy Tellason asked about the
|
||
appropriateness of suppressing long (30kb) messages from the
|
||
echomail distribution system. While I'm no expert in this
|
||
matter, I can address his question about whether or not people
|
||
are running software which needs to be protected from messages of
|
||
this size. Not long ago, I posted a series of messages which
|
||
were in the 16k range (approximately). I checked to make sure
|
||
they weren't much bigger than that, but I didn't check their size
|
||
exactly.
|
||
|
||
I should have been more careful, I guess: one or another of those
|
||
messages prevented my uplink from tossing the entire bundle!
|
||
Again, I can't say what the limit is but I was certainly
|
||
surprised that an OS/2 system running Squish would have problems
|
||
with anything I, running the DOS version of Squish, could
|
||
generate.
|
||
|
||
So the answer is "Yes." Anyone posting messages in the 16kb+
|
||
range is creating a technical problem. As a technical solution,
|
||
I'd certainly prefer to see messages split, rather than bounced
|
||
or deleted, but I'm not in charge around here.
|
||
|
||
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
||
|
||
Letter from a concerned reader?
|
||
|
||
(Henk, you may use this in FidoNews or not, as you wish. I am
|
||
posting it here only because this is the closest thing to an
|
||
administrative echo that is available to non-members.)
|
||
|
||
I have been a Fidonet user since 1995, and have seen a bit of the
|
||
discussion (and I use that word loosely) concerning administrative
|
||
and policy matters of all sorts. I have observed (and
|
||
occasionally taken part in) arguments over everything from the
|
||
validity of Policy 4.07 and the need for an Echo Policy to the
|
||
multiplicity of backbones and the effectiveness or
|
||
ineffectiveness of certain hat-wearers.
|
||
|
||
Although I wasn't around at the time, I understand all these
|
||
counterproductive arguments are due to Fidonet's departure from
|
||
the ideals and goals set by its founder, Tom Jennings. in fact,
|
||
if what I have read is true, it was this very sort of
|
||
in-fighting that led Mr. Jennings to leave Fidonet.
|
||
|
||
Here is my revolutionary suggestion: Let us beseech Tom Jennings
|
||
to return to Fidonet as a sort of one-man "supreme court" with
|
||
the authority to arbitrarily overturn any existing policy and any
|
||
FIDONEWS 16-09 Page 7 1 Mar 1999
|
||
|
||
|
||
actions (or inactions) taken by officials at any level of Fidonet,
|
||
with such authority limited to a period of, say, two years. While
|
||
the power of such a position may not appeal to Mr. Jennings,
|
||
perhaps the opportunity to put fidonet back on track would be
|
||
sufficient to bring him out of his self-imposed retirement.
|
||
|
||
Just imagine the possibilities. At last we would know if Policy
|
||
4.07 actually serves the best interests of Fidonet as seen by its
|
||
"founding father". We'd know for certain if ZCs must come from
|
||
within the ranks of RCs, or if any sysop is eligible to run for
|
||
the post. We'd even have someone with the authority to find out,
|
||
once and for all, if Zorch Frezburg and Mark Hernandez are the
|
||
same person!
|
||
|
||
Please consider my suggestion carefully and seriously. Discuss
|
||
it among yourselves. Fidonet membes, feel free to kick the idea
|
||
around in your admin echoes. No one knows how Fidonet should be
|
||
better than Tom Jennings, and it would be nice to have a
|
||
"benevolent dictator" whose only interest was the good of Fidonet
|
||
itself. Of course, actually getting Mr. Jennings to take such a
|
||
job might be difficult, and getting him to stay with it for two
|
||
full years without getting disgusted and leaving again may be
|
||
well-night impossible; but we'll never know unless we try.
|
||
|
||
Walter, wluffman@usit.net
|
||
|
||
ED: Walter, I do not know the reason why Tom has left FidoNet,
|
||
but what you are 'saying' has merit. ;-)
|
||
|
||
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
||
|
||
The Shrinking Nodelist - What can be done?
|
||
|
||
Douglas Myers, 1:270/720, doug@mdtnbbs.com
|
||
|
||
In this article, I'm discussing one of the issues I feel is
|
||
pertinent to the Z1C election. In a separate article, I've
|
||
announced my candidacy for this position; please note, however, that
|
||
there's been no indication from the RC's that there will be an open
|
||
election, so I may simply be talking through a non-existent "hat."
|
||
|
||
Fidonet is losing nodes, particularly in Zone 1. The evidence is
|
||
clear, in that each week I compile a smaller nodelist. This
|
||
shrinking nodelist has been blamed on all sorts of things:
|
||
excessive fighting in the echoes, lack of democratic elections
|
||
throughout Fido, inaction by the Zone Coordinator and Regional
|
||
Coordinators...
|
||
|
||
While I would certainly like to see a friendlier atmosphere in the
|
||
echoes... while I support the concept of sysop-level elections...
|
||
and while there are some areas I'd like to see the ZC and RC's
|
||
address... I don't think any of the above actions would reverse the
|
||
trend of the shrinking nodelist. Sysops are simply taking down
|
||
their BBSes because computer owners have chosen to connect to the
|
||
world through the Internet instead.
|
||
FIDONEWS 16-09 Page 8 1 Mar 1999
|
||
|
||
|
||
This is not necessarily bad news - the same internet technology
|
||
which has attracted the general public away from Fido has also given
|
||
us the means to maintain low-cost connections despite a smaller
|
||
number of nodes. We can live with a smaller nodelist, and still
|
||
have a viable and quality network.
|
||
|
||
This doesn't mean we have to be passive and let Fido be swallowed by
|
||
the Internet, but it does mean that we need to stop using the size
|
||
of the nodelist as the sole indicator of the health of Fido. The
|
||
health of Fido is best indicated by how we, the hobbyists, enjoy the
|
||
hobby. If we maintain Fido in a state that we, the sysops, enjoy...
|
||
then the job of inviting guests to join us will be all that much
|
||
easier.
|
||
|
||
The work has already begun - many individuals and teams have chosen
|
||
to do something positive about the changing nature of Fidonet. Mail
|
||
has long been transferred over the Internet, reducing costs and
|
||
improving availability. The nodelist format has been positively
|
||
altered to facilitate the integration of nodes operating strictly
|
||
from the Internet. Enterprising sysops have offered QWK packets and
|
||
Blue Wave packets to individuals through internet email attachments,
|
||
effectively allowing individuals to function as users of their BBS
|
||
without the necessity of logging on... and providing a low-cost
|
||
alternative to the telenetable BBS. At least one net has
|
||
established an information package for internet users, offering
|
||
instructions for using the commonly-available windows terminal
|
||
program to log onto a local BBS. All these efforts should be
|
||
encouraged and expanded where possible.
|
||
|
||
The shrinking nodelist isn't the death of Fidonet. If we make Fido
|
||
the kind of place where we want to be, folks will join us.
|
||
|
||
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
||
|
||
Zone 1 Backbone Service Level Agreement
|
||
by The Members of the Zone 1 Backbone
|
||
|
||
=====================================
|
||
== Zone 1 Backbone ==
|
||
== Service Level Agreement ==
|
||
=====================================
|
||
|
||
|
||
SLA_9903.Z1B - Mar 99
|
||
=========================
|
||
|
||
|
||
Table of Contents
|
||
===================
|
||
|
||
1.0 Introduction
|
||
1.1 Purpose of this Document
|
||
1.2 Definitions
|
||
1.3 Service Level Agreement
|
||
1.4 Z1B Relationship to FidoNet
|
||
FIDONEWS 16-09 Page 9 1 Mar 1999
|
||
|
||
|
||
1.5 Changes to this Document
|
||
2.0 Z1B Administration
|
||
2.1 Voting
|
||
2.2 Selection of Z1B Hubs
|
||
2.3 Selection of the Z1BC
|
||
2.4 Administrative Areas
|
||
3.0 Moderators
|
||
3.1 Moderator Identification
|
||
3.2 Moderator Responsibilities
|
||
3.3 Moderator Tools
|
||
3.4 Echo Addition
|
||
3.5 Echo Removal
|
||
3.6 Echo Name Change
|
||
4.0 Standard Operating Procedures
|
||
4.1 Technical Standards
|
||
4.2 Gateways
|
||
4.3 Encrypted Messages
|
||
4.4 Encoded Files in Echoes
|
||
4.5 Illegal Activities
|
||
4.6 Censorship of Messages
|
||
4.7 Anonymous Remailers
|
||
4.8 Emergency Plans
|
||
|
||
(Items noted by the "|" are changes from the previous version.)
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
1.0 Introduction
|
||
===================
|
||
|
||
|
||
1.1 Purpose of this Document
|
||
-------------------------------
|
||
|
||
This Service Level Agreement has been assembled as a means to provide
|
||
information about the Zone 1 Backbone, how it operates, what it
|
||
offers, what it expects in return, and to provide insight as to its
|
||
internal administration.
|
||
|
||
This document is updated as circumstances and practices change.
|
||
Please ensure that you are referencing a current edition.
|
||
|
||
|
||
1.2 Definitions
|
||
------------------
|
||
|
||
Zone 1 Backbone - A group of volunteer FidoNet hubs who help
|
||
distribute echomail and routed netmail in FidoNet Zone 1
|
||
(North America). The structure is customarily recognized as a
|
||
set of tiers with the intention of distributing echomail in an
|
||
accurate and expeditious manner. Hereafter in this document
|
||
the Zone 1 Backbone is referred to simply as the Z1B.
|
||
|
||
Echo or Conference - An echomail conference is a message base or
|
||
forum, distributed under a specified echomail conference name
|
||
or tag, dealing with a defined area of interest. Hereafter in
|
||
FIDONEWS 16-09 Page 10 1 Mar 1999
|
||
|
||
|
||
this document echomail conferences are referred to simply as
|
||
echoes.
|
||
|
||
Zone 1 Backbone Hub - A hub who helps to distribute mail within the
|
||
Zone 1 Backbone. Tier 1 Z1B Hubs, also known as ZHubs or
|
||
Stars, distribute mail at the zone level. They are fully
|
||
meshed with each other for speed and reliability. Tier 2 Z1B
|
||
Hubs, also known as RHubs, distribute mail at the region
|
||
level. Tier 3 Z1B Hubs distribute mail at the net level.
|
||
|
||
Zone 1 Backbone Coordinator (Z1BC) - Person responsible for the
|
||
day-to-day operation of the Zone 1 Backbone. He coordinates
|
||
routing to ensure reliable and efficient transport of echomail
|
||
and Z1B-routed netmail while avoiding creation of duplicate
|
||
messages. He also serves as liaison to the ZEC and to other
|
||
distribution systems.
|
||
|
||
Echomail Coordinators (ECs) - Echomail Coordinators have been
|
||
recognized by Fidonet since 1987. The Zone Echomail
|
||
Coordinator (ZEC) functions at the zone level. Region
|
||
Echomail Coordinators (RECs) function at the region level.
|
||
Net Echomail Coordinators (NECs) function at the net level.
|
||
|
||
BACKBONE.Z1B - A text file listing all echoes, and their descriptions,
|
||
which are presently distributed by the Zone 1 Backbone. This
|
||
text file is formatted in a manner which makes it easily
|
||
readable by echomail distribution software to use as a
|
||
"forward list". It is published weekly by the Z1BC and
|
||
distributed in the BACKBONE file area.
|
||
|
||
BACKSTAT.Z1B - A text file containing the Zone 1 Backbone status
|
||
report which, among other things, itemizes echoes which are in
|
||
the process of being added to or dropped from the Zone 1
|
||
Backbone, as well as listing the Tier 1 and 2 Z1B Hubs, and
|
||
the Z1BC. It is published weekly by the Z1BC and distributed
|
||
in the BACKBONE file area. It is advisable that those who
|
||
rely on the Zone 1 Backbone get in the habit of reading this
|
||
file.
|
||
|
||
SLA_xxxx.Z1B (xxxx = yymm version) - This document. It is published
|
||
monthly by the Z1BC and distributed in the BACKBONE file area.
|
||
|
||
Moderator - Person(s) responsible for an echo and its liaison with the
|
||
Zone 1 Backbone.
|
||
|
||
EchoList - A database containing a list of echoes, published monthly
|
||
by the EchoList Coordinator (1:1/21). It customarily contains
|
||
echo names, moderator names and addresses, and descriptions of
|
||
the echoes.
|
||
|
||
Gateways - Echomail Gateways are nodes whose systems are used to
|
||
exchange mail with other groups. The term Gateway, as used
|
||
here, includes all forms of gating including, but not limited
|
||
to, FidoNet zone gating, inter-distribution system gating,
|
||
inter-network gating, and domain gating.
|
||
|
||
FIDONEWS 16-09 Page 11 1 Mar 1999
|
||
|
||
|
||
1.3 Service Level Agreement
|
||
------------------------------
|
||
|
||
The members of the Z1B agree to distribute mail in the most accurate
|
||
and expeditious manner possible within their means. Although they
|
||
agree to provide the best service possible, they do not have control
|
||
over all of the factors thus some problems might occur occasionally.
|
||
Netmail messages which are time critical or require sensitive handling
|
||
should be sent direct.
|
||
|
||
The Tier 1 and 2 Z1B Hubs agree to make available all echoes which
|
||
are listed in BACKBONE.Z1B. Tier 3 Z1B Hubs are not obligated to
|
||
distribute all listed echoes. In no case does any Z1B Hub agree to
|
||
distribute any echo which, in their own opinion, could subject them to
|
||
consequences which might have a negative effect on their well being.
|
||
|
||
The Z1B encourages the use of "echo-path routed netmail" (ERN) as a
|
||
means of keeping echo volume and off-topic posts at a reasonable
|
||
level. Z1B Hubs agree to accept routed netmail from any node who
|
||
connects with them. Any netmail message with a deliverable destination
|
||
within FidoNet, regardless of its origin, is accepted.
|
||
|
||
The Z1B Hubs agree to route ERN according to the wishes of the
|
||
individual nets. The Z1B Hubs depend on regional routing maps
|
||
provided by the RECs to represent these wishes. The Z1B encourages
|
||
all nets to list every ERN connection path to the nearest Tier 1 (zone
|
||
level) Hub, regardless of distribution system, in their region's
|
||
chart. This will allow ERN to follow the best path available. When
|
||
these paths are not known or are not available, Z1B Hubs agree to
|
||
route ERN along echomail paths or to a ZC, RC, or NC who has agreed to
|
||
handle such mail.
|
||
|
||
The Z1B Hubs agree that ERN is for personal messages. It is not for
|
||
commercial messages, echoes, tunneling, mailing lists, news groups,
|
||
file-attaches, "encoded" files, pyramid letters, or chain letters.
|
||
Thus, the Z1B Hubs do not agree to route such messages.
|
||
|
||
The Z1B Hubs agree to treat all in-transit netmail as private mail.
|
||
The Z1B Hubs agree to not read or disclose routed netmail which passes
|
||
through their systems, except as required for technical or legal
|
||
reasons.
|
||
|
||
The Z1B consists of volunteers. It does not agree to handle any echo
|
||
which could take the fun out of the hobby. Use of Z1B services should
|
||
be viewed as a privilege, not a right. Any or all of these services
|
||
may be terminated at any time, without any prior notice.
|
||
|
||
All Z1B Hubs agree to the terms of this document.
|
||
|
||
|
||
1.4 Z1B Relationship to FidoNet
|
||
----------------------------------
|
||
|
||
The Z1B is indeed part of FidoNet. It's made up of a voluntary group
|
||
of FidoNet members. It exists within FidoNet and must abide by
|
||
FidoNet Policy, just as any other FidoNet node or group of FidoNet
|
||
FIDONEWS 16-09 Page 12 1 Mar 1999
|
||
|
||
|
||
nodes.
|
||
|
||
However, the Z1B is not an entity or sub-division of FidoNet in the
|
||
sense that it is not mandated or defined by FidoNet Policy and is not
|
||
operated by FidoNet officials.
|
||
|
||
There is no requirement for the Z1B to offer services and there is no
|
||
requirement for anyone to use the Z1B's services.
|
||
|
||
This document is not a part of FidoNet Policy. Should any part of
|
||
this document conflict with FidoNet Policy, then FidoNet Policy shall
|
||
prevail.
|
||
|
||
|
||
1.5 Changes to this Document
|
||
-------------------------------
|
||
|
||
This document is changed only as the result of a two-thirds vote.
|
||
Anyone may propose a change by finding a Tier 1 or 2 Z1B Hub who is
|
||
willing to sponsor it for them.
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
2.0 Z1B Administration
|
||
=========================
|
||
|
||
|
||
2.1 Voting
|
||
-------------
|
||
|
||
Tier 1 and 2 Z1B Hubs, as listed in BACKSTAT.Z1B, get 1 vote each.
|
||
Nobody else may vote. All voting is by public ballot in the Z1B_Coord
|
||
echo. The standard voting period is 1 week.
|
||
|
||
Unless specified otherwise, a majority vote (more than half of those
|
||
voting) is the norm. Certain decisions, as noted, require a
|
||
two-thirds vote (at least two-thirds of those voting).
|
||
|
||
A recall vote can not be held until at least 4 months has elapsed
|
||
since the prior selection or recall vote for the person holding that
|
||
position.
|
||
|
||
|
||
2.2 Selection of Z1B Hubs
|
||
----------------------------
|
||
|
||
Tier 1 Z1B Hubs are selected by a majority vote. They are normally
|
||
chosen from amongst the Tier 2 Z1B Hubs. They serve an indefinite
|
||
term but are subject to recall by a two-thirds vote.
|
||
|
||
Tier 2 Z1B Hubs are selected by a majority vote. Anyone may apply by
|
||
finding a Tier 1 or 2 Z1B Hub who is willing to nominate them. The
|
||
applicant should connect to either a Tier 1 or 2 Z1B Hub and route
|
||
netmail and/or echomail for at least a few nets other than their own.
|
||
They serve an indefinite term but are subject to recall by a
|
||
two-thirds vote.
|
||
FIDONEWS 16-09 Page 13 1 Mar 1999
|
||
|
||
|
||
Tier 3 Z1B Hub selection is left up to the individual nets.
|
||
|
||
|
||
2.3 Selection of the Z1BC
|
||
----------------------------
|
||
|
||
The Z1BC is selected by a majority vote. Anyone may apply by finding
|
||
a Tier 1 or 2 Z1B Hub who is willing to nominate them. He serves a 1
|
||
year term but is subject to recall by a two-thirds vote.
|
||
|
||
Note: The term of the current Z1BC expires on April 1, 1999.
|
||
|
||
|
||
2.4 Administrative Areas
|
||
---------------------------
|
||
|
||
The Z1B uses two echoes of its own and two shared file areas to
|
||
conduct its business.
|
||
|
||
The Z1BACKBONE echo is open to any node having business with the Z1B.
|
||
The moderator for this area is selected by a majority vote. He serves
|
||
an indefinite term but is subject to recall by a two-thirds vote.
|
||
|
||
The Z1B_COORD echo is restricted to Tier 1 and 2 Z1B Hubs, the Z1BC,
|
||
and invited guests. Guests are invited by a majority vote. The
|
||
moderator for this area is the Z1BC.
|
||
|
||
The Z1B also makes use of the shared BACKBONE and Z1_REC file areas.
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
3.0 Moderators
|
||
=================
|
||
|
||
|
||
3.1 Moderator Identification
|
||
-------------------------------
|
||
|
||
The Z1B refers to the current EchoList in order to identify an echo's
|
||
moderator. As far as the Z1B is concerned, all individuals listed as
|
||
moderators or co-moderators of a particular echo are equal. In case
|
||
of disagreement, however, the moderator listed first has priority.
|
||
|
||
Moderators are encouraged to appoint co-moderators to assist them in
|
||
their duties and to stand in for them in their absence. This will
|
||
ensure that the echo is properly maintained, especially in the case of
|
||
a moderator who is frequently absent for long periods of time.
|
||
|
||
|
||
3.2 Moderator Responsibilities
|
||
---------------------------------
|
||
|
||
The responsibilities of a moderator of an echo which the Z1B
|
||
distributes are:
|
||
|
||
1) Seeing that messages in their echo correspond to the echo's
|
||
FIDONEWS 16-09 Page 14 1 Mar 1999
|
||
|
||
|
||
theme.
|
||
|
||
2) Updating their echo's listing in the Echolist at least every
|
||
six months.
|
||
|
||
3) Preventing the distribution of their echo from interfering
|
||
with the operation of the Z1B.
|
||
|
||
4) Must be accessible via netmail through known channels.
|
||
|
||
5) Seeing that messages in their echo do not violate the
|
||
standards set in Section 4.
|
||
|
||
When moderators place their echoes on the Z1B they must realize that
|
||
Z1B Hubs distribute publicly available echoes and that the job of
|
||
enforcing any kind of access restrictions remains with the moderator.
|
||
These restrictions, as well as the echo's rules, are usually available
|
||
in the EchoList so that any Sysop interested in the echo may review
|
||
them prior to actually carrying the echo on his or her system.
|
||
|
||
|
||
3.3 Moderator Tools
|
||
----------------------
|
||
|
||
The Z1B provides some "tools" to a moderator in order to help him/her
|
||
carry out their responsibilities.
|
||
|
||
If a moderator believes that a node is violating an echo rule, he/she
|
||
may request the feed to that node be severed. This request is made in
|
||
written form (netmail), to the Z1B Hub feeding the offending node,
|
||
with a copy to the offending node. It is recommended that a copy also
|
||
be sent to the node's NEC so that he or she is aware of such problems
|
||
in the net and can provide information and assistance.
|
||
|
||
Some important points to remember regarding feed cut requests:
|
||
|
||
1) Feed cuts should be initiated with an effort to cause the least
|
||
amount of disruption to the echo.
|
||
|
||
2) In most cases, the main goal of a feed cut is to remove a
|
||
REPEAT offender who is likely to cause future echo disruption.
|
||
|
||
3) Echo rule offenders are, in most cases, PEOPLE - not systems.
|
||
|
||
4) SYSTEMS should not be cut until efforts to remove the PERSON
|
||
have failed. Moderators should attempt to resolve problems as
|
||
close to the root of the problem as possible, i.e., user first,
|
||
SysOp second, hub third, etc.
|
||
|
||
5) Feed cuts at the zone level are taken very seriously. Only use
|
||
them as a last resort after all other means have failed. Have
|
||
proper documentation ready to support a link cut request at the
|
||
zone level showing that all other efforts have failed.
|
||
|
||
6) Feed cut requests are just that - requests. Communications
|
||
should be polite and not demanding as you are REQUESTING help
|
||
FIDONEWS 16-09 Page 15 1 Mar 1999
|
||
|
||
|
||
from another system.
|
||
|
||
|
||
3.4 Echo Addition
|
||
--------------------
|
||
|
||
The Z1BC adds an echo to Z1B distribution when all of these
|
||
requirements are met:
|
||
|
||
1) The moderator lists the echo in the EchoList. See the
|
||
EchoList FAQ for information about how to do this.
|
||
|
||
2) The moderator requests that the echo be distributed by the
|
||
Z1B. The request should be sent from one of the moderator
|
||
addresses listed in the EchoList, via one of the following
|
||
methods, preferably "A".
|
||
|
||
A) Echomail: To "Z1B", in the Z1BACKBONE echo
|
||
B) Netmail: To "Z1B", at the Z1BC's FidoNet address
|
||
C) Email: To the Z1BC's Internet address, subject "Z1B"
|
||
|
||
The body of the request should consist of a current copy of
|
||
the EchoList listing for the echo. This could be taken from a
|
||
recent message from the EchoList (netmail, email or echomail)
|
||
or be an excerpt from the current EchoList itself.
|
||
|
||
The echo is then listed in BACKSTAT.Z1B as requesting
|
||
addition.
|
||
|
||
3) Within one month of being initially being listed in
|
||
BACKSTAT.Z1B, two Tier 1 or 2 Z1B Hubs and/or RECs request
|
||
that the Z1B distribute the echo. The requests should be sent
|
||
via one of the following methods, preferably "A".
|
||
|
||
A) Echomail: To "Z1B", in the Z1BACKBONE echo
|
||
B) Netmail: To "Z1B", at the Z1BC's FidoNet address
|
||
C) Email: To the Z1BC's Internet address, subject "Z1B"
|
||
|
||
The requests are noted in BACKSTAT.Z1B.
|
||
|
||
If two requests are not forthcoming, prior to the one month
|
||
expiring the moderator may request a one month extension from
|
||
the Z1BC.
|
||
|
||
The echo is then added to BACKBONE.Z1B and this is noted in
|
||
BACKSTAT.Z1B. A welcome message is sent in the echo to help establish
|
||
links. At this time any private links to the echo should be switched
|
||
to the Z1B.
|
||
|
||
|
||
3.5 Echo Removal
|
||
-------------------
|
||
|
||
The Z1BC removes an echo from Z1B distribution when any of these
|
||
situations occur:
|
||
|
||
FIDONEWS 16-09 Page 16 1 Mar 1999
|
||
|
||
|
||
1) The echo is not listed in the EchoList. The echo is first
|
||
listed as "not in EchoList" in BACKSTAT.Z1B for up to 3
|
||
months, then it is dropped entirely. During these 3 months,
|
||
weekly warning messages are posted in the echo alerting the
|
||
moderator and the users as to the echo's status. If at any
|
||
time during these 3 months it is re-listed in the EchoList
|
||
then it's status is restored.
|
||
|
||
2) Unconditionally when the moderator sends a direct request to
|
||
the Z1BC that the echo be removed. The request should be sent
|
||
from one of the moderator addresses listed in the EchoList, to
|
||
one of the following:
|
||
|
||
A) Echomail: To "Z1B", in the Z1BACKBONE echo
|
||
B) Netmail: To "Z1B", at the Z1BC's FidoNet address
|
||
C) Email: To the Z1BC's Internet address, subject "Z1B"
|
||
|
||
3) The moderator fails to properly carry out his
|
||
responsibilities (see Section 3.2).
|
||
|
||
4) The traffic level in the echo falls below 2 messages for any
|
||
month. The echo is first listed as "low traffic" in
|
||
BACKSTAT.Z1B for up to 6 months, then it is dropped entirely.
|
||
If at any time during these 6 months the traffic level rises
|
||
to or above 5 messages for any month then it's status is
|
||
restored.
|
||
|
||
The Z1B drops echoes when the traffic level falls below a
|
||
minimum:
|
||
|
||
A) To encourage the formation of new echoes, like pruning
|
||
dead branches off a tree.
|
||
|
||
B) To save the SysOps and users from the frustration of
|
||
setting up areas only to find that they are dead.
|
||
|
||
5) When it is decided by a two-thirds vote that the distribution
|
||
of an echo is not in the best interest of the Z1B.
|
||
|
||
All changes in status of echoes are noted in BACKSTAT.Z1B.
|
||
|
||
|
||
3.6 Echo Name Change
|
||
-----------------------
|
||
|
||
In order to change the name of an echo which is currently distributed
|
||
by the Z1B, without the necessity of reapproval, you should:
|
||
|
||
1) EchoList the new echo name.
|
||
|
||
2) Set a date for the change to occur. This date should give
|
||
all concerned plenty of time to prepare. Generally, a 3-4
|
||
week notice should suffice. The proposed date for the change
|
||
should fall on a Sunday.
|
||
|
||
3) Spread the word of the impending name change. Do so in the
|
||
FIDONEWS 16-09 Page 17 1 Mar 1999
|
||
|
||
|
||
affected echo, the Z1BACKBONE echo, and via netmail or email
|
||
to the Z1BC.
|
||
|
||
4) Item 3 should be repeated at least once per week before the
|
||
name change is to occur.
|
||
|
||
5) On the day before the change is to occur, send a netmail
|
||
reminder to the Z1BC.
|
||
|
||
6) The change occurs. The new echo name is added to BACKBONE.Z1B
|
||
and the old echo name is removed.
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
4.0 Standard Operating Procedures
|
||
====================================
|
||
|
||
|
||
4.1 Technical Standards
|
||
--------------------------
|
||
|
||
The Z1B observes FTSC specifications FTS-0001 and FSC-0074. Notes:
|
||
|
||
1) All Z1B Hubs use the pathline.
|
||
|
||
2) The Z1B considers the "toUserName", "fromUserName" and
|
||
"Origin Line" to be control information lines, thus character
|
||
set restrictions apply.
|
||
|
||
3) The requirement that control information lines shall contain
|
||
only ASCII characters, from 32 to 126, is extended to include
|
||
hi-bit alphabetic characters, including 128 to 168, 173, and
|
||
224 to 240.
|
||
|
||
4) Echomail messages older than 30 days may considered to be
|
||
dupes. This technique has undergone much testing and has
|
||
proven its value in preventing dupes due to massive rescans
|
||
without interfering with the flow of normal echomail.
|
||
|
||
5) Due to the limitations of some current software, the Z1B can
|
||
not guarantee delivery of messages in excess of 30K bytes.
|
||
Z1B Hubs are encouraged to use message processing software
|
||
which allows larger messages, preferably up to 64K bytes, to
|
||
be handled. Z1B Hubs may split large messages to ensure their
|
||
safe passage.
|
||
|
||
Z1B Hubs may delete messages which do not conform to these technical
|
||
standards when such messages might be harmful to the technical
|
||
operation of the Z1B. This includes duplicate messages and "grunged"
|
||
messages. Such messages are generally not returned.
|
||
|
||
Z1B Hubs operate in a secure fashion. They automatically process
|
||
inbound messages only from those nodes with which prior agreements
|
||
have been made. Normally this means that Z1B Hubs use session
|
||
passwords and secure ("protected") inbound areas. However, any
|
||
reasonable method of ensuring that non-secure messages do not enter
|
||
FIDONEWS 16-09 Page 18 1 Mar 1999
|
||
|
||
|
||
the Z1B is acceptable.
|
||
|
||
A Z1B Hub may choose not to provide services to a node which does not
|
||
operate in a secure fashion.
|
||
|
||
|
||
4.2 Gateways
|
||
---------------
|
||
|
||
Gateways must remove foreign distribution identifiers (including
|
||
seen-bys) which might adversely affect the distribution of the echo on
|
||
the Z1B. Pathlines, however, should be left intact. The origin line
|
||
should be that of the Gateway.
|
||
|
||
Gateways also pass netmail into the other network, unless it is
|
||
technically impossible to do so.
|
||
|
||
|
||
4.3 Encrypted Messages
|
||
-------------------------
|
||
|
||
Some Z1B Hubs do not allow encrypted messages to flow through their
|
||
systems. Therefore, the Z1B does not agree to handle encrypted
|
||
messages in routed netmail or in echoes, excepting digital signatures
|
||
and occasional demonstration and/or test messages.
|
||
|
||
|
||
4.4 Encoded Files in Echoes
|
||
------------------------------
|
||
|
||
Echomail is not an efficient method of transporting files. There are
|
||
many File Distribution Networks which can be used instead. Thus the
|
||
Z1B does not distribute any echo which routinely contains large
|
||
(multi-message) encoded files. The use of an echo for small or
|
||
occasional encoded files is left up to the discretion of its
|
||
moderator.
|
||
|
||
|
||
4.5 Illegal Activities
|
||
-------------------------
|
||
|
||
The Z1B does not distribute any echo which routinely contains
|
||
messages which contain illegal information, or promote illegal
|
||
activities. As used in this paragraph, "illegal activities" includes
|
||
activities which are a violation of civil law as well as activities
|
||
which could result in criminal prosecution.
|
||
|
||
|
||
4.6 Censorship of Messages
|
||
-----------------------------
|
||
|
||
Z1B Hubs do not delete or alter messages as they are distributed,
|
||
except for technical reasons.
|
||
|
||
If a Z1B Hub feels that netmail messages may lead to legal action
|
||
against him then he may decline to handle such messages, as per
|
||
FIDONEWS 16-09 Page 19 1 Mar 1999
|
||
|
||
|
||
FidoNet Policy.
|
||
|
||
If a Z1B Hub feels that echomail messages may lead to legal action
|
||
against him then he may decline to handle that echo in its entirety,
|
||
notifying the echo's moderator.
|
||
|
||
The Z1B does not distribute any echo which routinely contains
|
||
counterfeit messages. A counterfeit message is any message entered
|
||
using another person's name, handle, or node address with the intent
|
||
of deceiving others about the true author of the message.
|
||
|
||
|
||
4.7 Anonymous Remailers
|
||
--------------------------
|
||
|
||
An "Anonymous Remailer" (AR) is software which conceals the identity
|
||
of a message's author. Use within an echo is up to the moderator of
|
||
that echo.
|
||
|
||
However, an AR should not be used in an echo until the echo's
|
||
moderator has informed the operator of the AR that such messages would
|
||
be welcome. The burden of proof that such a request has been granted
|
||
is carried by the operator of the AR.
|
||
|
||
|
||
4.8 Emergency Plans
|
||
----------------------
|
||
|
||
The Tier 1 Z1B Hubs maintain emergency backup plans should one of
|
||
them experience problems. These plans include:
|
||
|
||
1) Quick availability of replacement equipment.
|
||
|
||
2) Adequate backups of necessary control information.
|
||
|
||
3) Standby nodes capable of assuming the load.
|
||
|
||
4) Alternate routing to bypass a down Tier 1 Z1B Hub.
|
||
|
||
|
||
================================== End ===============================
|
||
|
||
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
||
FIDONEWS 16-09 Page 20 1 Mar 1999
|
||
|
||
|
||
=================================================================
|
||
COLUMNS
|
||
=================================================================
|
||
|
||
|
||
ECHO TALK - Monkey Business
|
||
|
||
. -- -- -- -- -- ECHO TALK -- -- -- -- -- .
|
||
| Food for thought from Fido's echomail. |
|
||
| Purloined without permission by D Myers |
|
||
` -- -- -- -- -- -- - -- -- -- -- -- -- '
|
||
|
||
RanD on the structure of Fidonet:
|
||
--------------------------------
|
||
|
||
Fidonet is like a tree full of monkeys, all on different limbs at
|
||
different levels.
|
||
|
||
Some monkeys are climbing up, some down.
|
||
|
||
The monkeys on top look down and see a tree full of smiling faces.
|
||
|
||
The monkeys on the bottom look up and see nothing but assholes.
|
||
|
||
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
||
FIDONEWS 16-09 Page 21 1 Mar 1999
|
||
|
||
|
||
=================================================================
|
||
NOTICES
|
||
=================================================================
|
||
|
||
Future History
|
||
|
||
12 May 1999
|
||
12th Anniversary of Fido Operations in Zone 4;
|
||
10th Anniversary of the creation of FidoNet Zone 4.
|
||
|
||
24 Jul 1999
|
||
XIII Pan American Games [through 8 Aug 99].
|
||
|
||
9 Jun 1999
|
||
Tenth Anniversary of the adoption of FidoNet Policy 4.07.
|
||
|
||
10 Sep 1999
|
||
10th anniversary of Zone 5 operations.
|
||
|
||
26 Oct 1999
|
||
Thirty years from release Abbey Road album by the Beatles.
|
||
|
||
31 Dec 1999
|
||
Hogmanay, Scotland. The New Year that can't be missed.
|
||
|
||
1 Jan 2000
|
||
The 20th Century, C.E., is still taking place thru 31 Dec.
|
||
|
||
1 Jun 2000
|
||
EXPO 2000 World Exposition in Hannover (Germany) opens.
|
||
|
||
15 Sep 2000
|
||
Sydney (Australia) Summer Olympiad opens.
|
||
|
||
21 Sep 2000
|
||
10 years of FidoNet in +7 (xUSSR)
|
||
|
||
1 Jan 2001
|
||
This is the actual start of the new millennium, C.E.
|
||
|
||
-- If YOU have something which you would like to see in this
|
||
Future History, please send a note to the FidoNews Editor.
|
||
|
||
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
||
FIDONEWS 16-09 Page 22 1 Mar 1999
|
||
|
||
|
||
=================================================================
|
||
FIDONET BY INTERNET
|
||
=================================================================
|
||
|
||
This is a list of all FidoNet-related sites reported to the
|
||
FidoNews Editor as of this issue; see the notice at the end.
|
||
|
||
FidoNet:
|
||
|
||
Homepage http://www.fidonet.org
|
||
FidoNews http://www.fidonews.org [HTML]
|
||
http://209.77.228.66/fidonews.html [ASCII]
|
||
WWW sources http://travel.to/fidonet/
|
||
FTSC page http://www.ftsc.org/
|
||
Echomail [pending]
|
||
General http://owls.com/~jerrys/fidonet.html
|
||
http://www.nrgsys.com/orb/foti
|
||
List servers:
|
||
http://www.onelist.com/subscribe.cgi/fidonet-discussion
|
||
|
||
============
|
||
|
||
Zone 1: http://www.z1.fidonet.org
|
||
|
||
Region 10: http://www.psnw.com/~net205/region10.html
|
||
|
||
Region 11: http://oeonline.com/~garyg/region11/
|
||
|
||
Region 13:
|
||
|
||
Net 264: http://www.net264.org/r13.htm
|
||
|
||
Region 14:
|
||
|
||
Net 282: http://www.rxn.com/~net282/
|
||
|
||
Region 17: http://www.nwstar.com/~region17/
|
||
|
||
Region 18: http://techshop.pdn.net/fido/
|
||
|
||
Region 19: http://www.compconn.net/r19
|
||
|
||
Zone 1 Elist http://www.baltimoremd.com/elist/
|
||
|
||
Not sure where the following should be placed:
|
||
|
||
http://www.angelfire.com/biz/snwvlly/fido.html
|
||
|
||
============
|
||
|
||
Zone 2: http://www.z2.fidonet.org
|
||
|
||
ZEC2:
|
||
Zone 2 Elist: http://www.fbone.ch/echolist/
|
||
|
||
Region 20: http://www.fidonet.pp.se (in Swedish)
|
||
FIDONEWS 16-09 Page 23 1 Mar 1999
|
||
|
||
|
||
Region 23: http://www.fido.dk (in Danish)
|
||
|
||
Region 24: http://www.swb.de/personal/flop/gatebau.html (German)
|
||
Fido-IP: http://home.nrh.de/~lbehet/fido (English/German)
|
||
|
||
Region 25: http://www.bsnet.co.uk/net2502/net/
|
||
|
||
Region 26: http://www.nemesis.ie
|
||
REC 26: http://www.nrgsys.com/orb
|
||
|
||
Region 27: http://telematique.org/ft/r27.htm
|
||
|
||
Region 29: http://www.rtfm.be/fidonet/ (French)
|
||
|
||
Region 30: http://www.fidonet.ch (German)
|
||
|
||
Region 33: http://www.fidoitalia.net (Italian)
|
||
|
||
Region 34: http://www.pobox.com/cnb/r34.htm (Spanish)
|
||
REC34: http://pobox.com/~chr
|
||
|
||
Region 36: http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/7207/
|
||
|
||
Region 38: http://public.st.carnet.hr/~blagi/bbs/adriam.html
|
||
|
||
Region 41: http://www.fidonet.gr (Greek/English)
|
||
|
||
Region 42: http://www.fido.cz
|
||
|
||
Region 48: http://www.fidonet.org.pl
|
||
|
||
Region 50: http://www.fido7.com/ (Russian)
|
||
Net 5010: http://fido.tu-chel.ac.ru/ (Russian)
|
||
Net 5015: http://www.fido.nnov.ru/ (Russian)
|
||
Net 5030: http://kenga.ru/fido/ (Russian & English)
|
||
Net 5073: http://people.weekend.ru/soa/ (Russian)
|
||
|
||
============
|
||
|
||
Zone 3: http://www.z3.fidonet.org
|
||
|
||
============
|
||
|
||
Zone 4:
|
||
|
||
Region 90: http://visitweb.com/fidonet
|
||
Net 903: http://www.playagrande.com/refugio
|
||
Net 904: http://members.tripod.com/~net904 (Spanish)
|
||
|
||
============
|
||
|
||
Zone 5: http://www.eastcape.co.za/fidonet/index.htm
|
||
|
||
============
|
||
|
||
Zone 6: http://www.z6.fidonet.org
|
||
FIDONEWS 16-09 Page 24 1 Mar 1999
|
||
|
||
|
||
Region 65: http://www.cfido.com/fidonet/cfidochina.html (Chinese)
|
||
|
||
============
|
||
|
||
Pages listed above are as submitted to the FidoNews Editor,
|
||
and generally reflect Zone and Regional Web Page sites. If
|
||
no Regional site is submitted, the first Network page from
|
||
that Region is used in its place. Generally, Regional pages
|
||
should list access points to all Networks within the Region.
|
||
|
||
TCP/IP accessible node access information should be submitted
|
||
to the FidoNews Editor for inclusion in their Region or Zone.
|
||
|
||
-----------oOo-------------
|
||
|
||
Fidonet Via Internet Hubs
|
||
|
||
Node# | Operator | Facilities (*) | Speed | Basic Rate
|
||
-----------+-------------------+----------------+-------+------------
|
||
1:12/12 | Ken Wilson | FTP | T1 | $24mo.
|
||
1:13/25 | Jim Balcom | FTP | 56k | $20mo.
|
||
1:106/1 | Matt Bedynek | FTP,VMoT,UUE | 64k | $5/$15mo.
|
||
1:106/6018 | Lawrence Garvin | FTP,VMoT | 64k | $5/mo.
|
||
1:107/451 | Andy Knifel | FTP, VMoT, UUE | 33.6 | n/c
|
||
1:140/12 | Bob Seaborn | FTP | T1 | $5/$20
|
||
1:270/101 | George Peace | FTP | T1 | $30mo.
|
||
1:271/140 | Tom Barstow | UUE | T1 | n/c
|
||
1:275/1 | Joshua Ecklund | UUE | 28.8 | $10/yr.
|
||
1:280/169 | Brian Greenstreet | FTP | 33.6 | $2mo.
|
||
1:2401/305 | Peter Rocca | FTP,UUE | T1 | unkn
|
||
1:2424/10 | Alec Grynspan | FTP,UUE | T1 | n/c
|
||
1:2604/104 | Jim Mclaughlin | FTP,VMoT,UUE | 33.6 | $1mo.
|
||
1:2624/306 | D. Calafrancesco | VMoT | 33.6 | $15yr.
|
||
1:345/0 | Todd Cochrane | FTP | T1 | n/c
|
||
1:346/250 | Aran Spence | FTP,UUE | T1 | $10mo.
|
||
1:396/45 | Marc Lewis | UUE | 33.6 | $26/yr.
|
||
1:3651/9 | Jerry Gause | FTP,VMoT | 33.6 | $3/$6
|
||
1:396/1 | John Souvestre | FTP,VMoT | T1 | $15mo.
|
||
2:335/535 | Mario Mure | VMoT,UUE | 64k | n/c
|
||
2:254/175 | Alex Kemp | UUE | 56k | n/c
|
||
2:284/800 | Jeroen VanDeLeur | FTP,UUE | 64k | n/c
|
||
2:335/610 | Gino Lucrezi | UUE | 33.6 | n/c
|
||
2:469/84 | Max Masyutin | VMoT | 256k | n/c
|
||
2:2411/413 | Dennis Dittrich | UUE | 64k | n/c
|
||
2:2474/275 | Christian Emig | UUE | 64k | unkn
|
||
3:633/260 | Malcolm Miles | FTP | 33.6 | n/c
|
||
4:905/100 | Fabian Gervan | VMoT, UUE | ??? | n/c
|
||
5:7104/2 | Henk Wolsink | FTP | 28.8 | n/c
|
||
--
|
||
* FTP = Internet File Transfer Protocol
|
||
* VMoT = Virtual Mailer over Telnet (various)
|
||
* UUE = uuencode<->email type transfers
|
||
[I'm only cataloging transfer methods, eg, ftp, email, telnet.
|
||
Specific programs using these protocols are no longer being listed.
|
||
Contact the system operators for details of which programs they have
|
||
available.]
|
||
FIDONEWS 16-09 Page 25 1 Mar 1999
|
||
|
||
|
||
Compiled by C. Ingersoll, 1:2623/71, (609)814-1978, fbn@dandy.net
|
||
Posted on the 1st of every month in FN_SYSOP, R13SYSOP and Fidonews.
|
||
|
||
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
||
FIDONEWS 16-09 Page 26 1 Mar 1999
|
||
|
||
|
||
=================================================================
|
||
FIDONEWS INFORMATION
|
||
=================================================================
|
||
|
||
|
||
------- FIDONEWS MASTHEAD AND CONTACT INFORMATION -------
|
||
|
||
Editor: Henk Wolsink
|
||
|
||
Editors Emeriti: Tom Jennings, Thom Henderson, Dale Lovell,
|
||
Vince Perriello, Tim Pozar, Sylvia Maxwell,
|
||
Donald Tees, Christopher Baker, Zorch Frezberg
|
||
|
||
"FidoNews Editor"
|
||
FidoNet 5:5/23
|
||
BBS +27-41-581-5913, 2400/9600/V34
|
||
|
||
more addresses:
|
||
Henk Wolsink -- 5:7104/2, hwolsink@catpe.alt.za
|
||
|
||
(Postal Service mailing address)
|
||
FidoNews Editor
|
||
P.O. Box 12325
|
||
Port Elizabeth,
|
||
6006
|
||
South Africa
|
||
|
||
------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
||
FidoNews is published weekly by and for the members of the FIDONET
|
||
INTERNATIONAL AMATEUR ELECTRONIC MAIL system. It is a compilation
|
||
of individual articles contributed by their authors or their
|
||
authorized agents. The contribution of articles to this compilation
|
||
does not diminish the rights of the authors. OPINIONS EXPRESSED in
|
||
these articles ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHORS and not necessarily those of
|
||
FidoNews and/or the Editor.
|
||
|
||
Authors retain copyright on individual works; otherwise FidoNews is
|
||
Copyright (C) 1999 Henk Wolsink. All rights reserved. Duplication
|
||
and/or distribution permitted for noncommercial purposes only. For
|
||
use in other circumstances, please contact the original authors, or
|
||
the Editor.
|
||
|
||
=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=
|
||
|
||
OBTAINING COPIES: The most recent issue of FidoNews in electronic
|
||
form may be obtained from the FidoNews Editor via manual download or
|
||
file-request, or from various sites in FidoNet and the Internet.
|
||
PRINTED COPIES may be obtained by sending SASE to the above postal
|
||
address. File-request FIDONEWS for the current Issue. File-request
|
||
FNEWS for the current month in one archive. Or file-request specific
|
||
back Issue filenames in distribution format [FNEWSGnn.ZIP] for a
|
||
particular Issue. Monthly Volumes are available as FNWSmmmy.ZIP
|
||
where mmm = three letter month [JAN - DEC] and y = last digit of the
|
||
current year [9], i.e., FNWSJAN9.ZIP for all the Issues from Jan 99.
|
||
|
||
FIDONEWS 16-09 Page 27 1 Mar 1999
|
||
|
||
|
||
Annual volumes are available as FNEWSn.ZIP where n = the Volume number
|
||
1 - 16 for 1984 - 1999, respectively. Annual Volume archives range in
|
||
size from 48K to 1.4M.
|
||
|
||
|
||
INTERNET USERS: FidoNews is available via:
|
||
|
||
http://www.fidonews.org
|
||
** http://www.fidonet.org/fidonews.htm
|
||
** ftp://ftp.fidonet.org/pub/fidonet/fidonews/
|
||
ftp://ftp.irvbbs.com/fidonews/
|
||
ftp://ftp.nwstar.com/Fidonet/Fidonews
|
||
|
||
And in non-English formats via:
|
||
|
||
** http://www.hvc.ee/pats/fidonews (Estonian)
|
||
http://www.fidonet.pp.se/sfnews (Swedish)
|
||
|
||
** LINK HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED
|
||
|
||
*=*=*
|
||
|
||
You may obtain an email subscription to FidoNews by sending email to:
|
||
|
||
jbarchuk@worldnet.att.net
|
||
|
||
with a Subject line of: subscribe fnews-edist
|
||
|
||
and no message in the message body. To remove your name from the
|
||
email distribution use a Subject line of: unsubscribe fnews-edist
|
||
with no message to the same address above.
|
||
|
||
*
|
||
|
||
You may retrieve current and previous Issues of FidoNews via FTPMail
|
||
by sending email to:
|
||
|
||
ftpmail@fidonews.org
|
||
|
||
with a Subject line of: help
|
||
|
||
and FTPMail will immediately send a reply containing details and
|
||
instructions. When you actually make a file request, FTPMail will
|
||
respond in three stages. You find a link for this process on
|
||
www.fidonews.org.
|
||
|
||
*=*=*
|
||
|
||
You can read the current FidoNews Issue in HTML format at:
|
||
|
||
http://www.fidonews.org
|
||
|
||
and in the FIDONEWS echo.
|
||
|
||
STAR SOURCE for ALL Past Issues via FTP and file-request -
|
||
Available for FReq from 1:396/1 or by anonymous FTP from:
|
||
FIDONEWS 16-09 Page 28 1 Mar 1999
|
||
|
||
|
||
ftp://ftp.sstar.com/fidonet/fnews/
|
||
|
||
Each yearly archive also contains a listing of the Table-of-Contents
|
||
for that year's issues. The total set is currently about 13 Megs.
|
||
|
||
=*=*=*=
|
||
|
||
The current week's FidoNews are now also available almost immediately
|
||
after publication on the FidoNews Editor homepage on the World Wide
|
||
Web at:
|
||
|
||
http://209.77.228.66/fidonews.html
|
||
|
||
There are also links there to jim barchuk's HTML FidoNews source and
|
||
to John Souvestre's FTP site for the archives. There is also an
|
||
email link for sending in an article as message text. Drop on over.
|
||
|
||
=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=
|
||
|
||
SUBMISSIONS: You are encouraged to submit articles for publication in
|
||
FidoNews. Article submission requirements are contained in the file
|
||
ARTSPEC.DOC, available from the FidoNews Editor, or file-requestable
|
||
from 5:5/23 [5:7104/2] as file "ARTSPEC.DOC". ALL Zone Coordinators
|
||
should have copies of ARTSPEC.DOC. Please read it.
|
||
|
||
"Fido", "FidoNet" and the dog-with-diskette are U.S. registered
|
||
trademarks of Tom Jennings, P.O. Box 410923, San Francisco, CA 94141,
|
||
and are used with permission.
|
||
|
||
"Disagreement is actually necessary,
|
||
or we'd all have to get in fights
|
||
or something to amuse ourselves
|
||
and create the requisite chaos."
|
||
-Tom Jennings
|
||
|
||
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
||
|