Subj : Re: What happened?
To   : Nick Andre
From : Charles Pierson
Date : Sun Nov 15 2020 01:35 pm

Hello, Nick Andre.
On 11/15/20 1:33 PM you wrote:

 CP>> The Fidonet community, and the wider BBS world, has always been 
 CP>> to me a gro of people who celebrated new things.
 NA> Fidonet Sysops tend to celebrate new things when they are directly 
 NA> beneficial to Fidonet on its own merit and technical ability. 
 NA> Fidonet Sysops do not  celebrate things which potentially take 
 NA> away that unique close-knit nature.

That's perfectly understandable. And not something I'm entirely in disagreement with.
 
 NA> When its a new communications protocol like BinkD or mobile app 
 NA> like  Hotdoged or software that directly benefits Fidonet/BBS'ing 
 NA> ie. Mystic and Synchronet, it is most certainly celebrated and 
 NA> embraced.

Generally speaking, I would agree. Although I have mentioned expanding mobile access in ways, such as QWK or similar offline readers, or even a potential BBS package in places, and at best, I've seen indifference, usually it's more common to be asked why I would want such a thing.
A few people have commented on potential issues technically, but not many.
 
 NA> When its a questionable Internet platform like Telegram that does 
 NA> not directly benefit Fidonet aside from making moderators nervous 
 NA> about some hack job to  allow the platform to exchange Echomail, 
 NA> its not celebrated as much.

From what I understand, it's discussed with the moderator and their approval is given before any echo is linked, as is Fidonet policy.

There are admins on the Telegram side to keep out the spammers/junk posters.

It's a way to be able to participate in some echos while you aren't at your primary system. Potentially, it could allow people to see Fidonet for what it can offer, introducing them to the community, while educating them on more standard BBS style software and how to use it.

By the way, my original message wasn't specifically only about Telegram.
 
 NA> Ask a veteran BBS Sysop why even have Echomail anymore when Usenet 
 NA> groups are more widely available with better features and arguably 
 NA> better software.

I've always preferred echomail to Usenet, although the systems that offer nntp feeds of Fidonet or othernets are convenient. 

In the particular case for Telegram, I can see upsides and downsides for it.  I've made cases both ways about different ideas involved with it.

I'm not even considering replacing anything. I'm saying some people had an idea to supplement their Echomail access. They are trying it out. If it works, and doesn't hurt regular Echomail operations, where is the harm?
If it doesn't work, it will fade to a memory like other things have before.

--
Best regards!
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