Subj : the presentation layer
To   : Tony Langdon
From : August Abolins
Date : Sun Jun 21 2020 05:43 pm

Hello Tony!

** On Tuesday 09.06.20 - 19:05, Tony Langdon wrote to Kees van Eeten:

 KvE>> The presentation layer is not the realm of Fidonet. There is
 KvE>> nothing in Fidonet that addresses the user experience.

 TL> That's a succinct way of putting it, and I agree totally.

Succinct, but not entirely correct.  ;)

 http://ftsc.org/docs/fts-0001.016  See, "Presentation Layer"


This echo is not limited to the discussion of the hidden workings of the  
protocols and technical mechanisms that users do not see.

Just one example, the Origin line is a distictly fidonet identifier and is  
intended to be seen.  HOW, that gets presented to the user in messages is  
left to the imagination.

I posit that even new FTN-specific jargon that represents the technology  
it describes can be invented.

New tools, information servers, etc.. that can enchance the end-user  
experience could be helpful.

As per an earlier vision of what this echo would encompass, how to  
"advance means of access", and "keep Fidonet attractive" include a visual  
component in the scope of discussions.

One example of a step forward to useability is the ability to capitalize  
on lauching http:// links in messages with a simple keystroke directly at  
a bbs or within an offline reader.  As a couple of others in the echo  
alluded to, there is room for designing new markup language distinct to  
fidonet that bbs systems and reader programs can understand.

Let's not forget about the user in the discussions of the future for this  
technology.


  ../|ug


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
A post-script comment from the FUTURE4FIDO Roving Reporter:
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

I recently came across this fine article about Usenet in the Linux  
Magazine:

https://www.linux-magazine.com/Issues/2018/217/Usenet

While reading it, the parallels and similarities to Fidonet kept surfacing  
(anarchistic network, many servers, giant bulletin board, forums vs echos,  
server administrators vs fidonet nodes, etc.  But unlike usenet, fidonet  
doesn't have the failings found in usenet: specifically uncontrolled  
blatant spam.

Fidonet has good potential to be a viable alternative for the user  
interested in discussion - but without the spam, ad-tracking, high noise  
to signal ratio, and many of the other failings that usenet newsgoup users  
can attest to.


--- OpenXP 5.0.44
 * Origin: The future is not what it used to be. (2:221/1.58)

.