Subj : Tiers
To   : Andrea Santos
From : Frank Vest
Date : Sun Jul 15 2001 08:25 am

On (15 Jul 01) Andrea Santos wrote to Frank Vest...

Hello Andrea,

-> Ah... Yes, what they carry might include other language echos. They
-> do, however, carry the same basic echos that the other backbones
-> carry.

 AS> As I said, the difference is the Zone 2 multilingual echos carried.
 AS> They don't apply to me as I wouldn't carry or read them.

I don't want to worry about multilingual echos, but hold this thought.
:)

-> Argument could be made for both sides here. A dead echo can come back
-> to life if some group decides to take a liking to the echo.

 AS> And if it came back to life, the Moderator could re-request its
 AS> addition to the Z1B.  Problem solved.  Fact remains that most of the
 AS> dead echos
 AS> are dead and won't be revived and it's silly to carry and make
 AS> available countless echos hoping that one or two will be resuscitated
 AS> while new users access your system, see there's nothing available and
 AS> go on to greener pastures elsewhere.

Point taken.

Moving on.

->  AS> Actually, it wasn't a big factor because in the days before
-> Internet  AS> Connectivity was rampant, we had one distribution
-> system; the NAB.

-> Thank you. Actually, I think it was "fidonet.na", but anyhow:
-> What happened? (been answered several different ways)

 AS> Right.

-> Why was it allowed to happen?

 AS> Because there were differences of opinion among the former NAB as far
 AS> as how the distribution should operate and, mainly, the removal of
 AS> dead echos.  Personalities got in the way.

-> What can be done to correct it?  -> Does it need corrected?

 AS> I think it does based on no need for two distributions systems.   When
 AS> Zone 1 was over 20,000 members strong, we had one.  We are now under
 AS> 1000 members with a fraction of the traffic.  Can't justify two, let
 AS> alone all of these top level/Zone/tier 2 hubs.

-> Are we better off now than then? Why?

 AS> Better off then.  We had the numbers in terms of members and traffic
 AS> and little time or desire to focus on much of the sillyness that has
 AS> gone on since the NAB split.  The bottom line is moving the mail, not
 AS> who moves it and their "position" within the distribution system.


Ok... My agenda (oh no!) :-)


Start the fidonet.na list up again.

Forget about the backbone.*

Forget about the top level, tier*, mesh this and that, and other BS.

Look at the Elist. Find the echos that are listed as distributed via
Fidonet.

Forget about the multilanguage stuff. If it's not in your language and
you don't want it, don't subscribe to it.

Check for "private" echos. IE: Regional, administrative and such.

In case there is a question if the echo is "private" or admin. or
such, ask the Moderator.

Check with the Moderators to find out if they wish to have their echo
listed and distributed via fidonet.na

---= Rules =---

1. If the echos is listed as a Fidonet echo and the Moderator wants it
distributed, by gum!, it's distributed. Period.

2. If a person feeding someone doesn't want to carry an echo, get it
from somewhere else.

3. No power allowed. No Titles allowed.

4. If other distribution systems wish to continue operation, fine. Go
for it.

5. If some want to charge for service, no problem. If some want to pay
for service, no problem. Just don't bitch about the service to anyone
except the person or "distribution system" you pay to.

6. This is a hobby. There are no guarantees given, implied or
expressed.

---= End of Rules =---


This reply is to you, Andrea, but it is intended for general
consumption and not directed _at_ you.


Now the question is:

Is there anyone, or enough people, in Fidonet that has the _guts_ to
do this?


Regards,

 Frank

http://texoma.net/~flv
http://bise.tzo.com/r19

--- PPoint 3.01
 * Origin: Holy Cow! I'm A Point!! (1:124/6308.1)

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