Editorial

I had hoped to present an interview with a fellow FidoNet sysop for this issue, but the meeting didn't quite turn out as anticipated. The notes I did gather were not sufficient to really turn the meeting into an interview, so instead we simply enjoyed a break in the bad weather plaguing the western coast of Zone 1.

And I heartily recommend St. Stan's brewpub in Modesto, California, the home of Net 208...on a Sunday afternoon, it is quiet, relaxing and home to some good quality microbrewery production.

One point in particular was a current issue over privacy in FidoNet; it would seem that many have the idea that you "must" have something "to hide" if you use encryption in netmail.

Few seem willing to understand that encryption is a part of your life everyday...credit cards, account numbers, personal identification... and that the personal use of encryption merely enhances the security of keeping that information confidential.

There are many in Zone 2 who can also testify on the usefulness of personal encryption in getting and keeping free minds and spirits.

With that, a message of interest was submitted by a sysop in the "Zone 7" area as to the view of FidoNet from within the confines of the former "Iron Curtain" countries. I hope to see this, as well as more news of the rest of FidoNet.

One thing that I have noted in several past issues is a call for articles and submissions from other Zones for publication here...and with very mixed results.

I do note several Regions have opted to translate issues in the language of the Region...but it helps more to actually _have_ the information to share with others, so it can be published at large to all of FidoNet. Just because it is an event in your area does not mean that no one else is interested.

As an example, the FidoNet European convention information is posted in this issue as an example of what can be presented here...

And yet...no one on the convention committee posted a copy to the FidoNews for announcement by press time, not even the press agent.

This is your FidoNews, this is your FidoNet...if you don't use it, who will?

In other news, RanD posts another informational tidbit on the lack of correct information in the Nodelist...which does have a point, even if it does annoy people.

Doc Logger returns, of course, and looks to be seeing the light a bit at a time...or, at least, getting close enough to see it is a light after all.

And the fun begins in FidoNet once again...

-zf-