Guest Editorial

Not a Member
Doug Myers

I have this annoying trait of calling those I speak with "members of Fidonet." At least, it must be annoying to some, as I'm constantly reminded that moderators are not members of Fidonet, users are not members of Fidonet, point systems are not members of Fidonet...

What is Fidonet, anyway, that folks who make important contributions are not considered among the ranks? Do I not come here to participate in the echoes, created by those moderators? Do I not enjoy the conversations with those users and point systems?

Is Fidonet just the technical organization? Is it just composed of the keepers of the key to entry, the BBS? If so, then Fidonet is truly dying: those who breathe life into Fidonet have found new roads and don't need the key to the old gates any more.

Or is Fidonet the community, only with a huge underclass? Then how long will we survive when the underclass has an option to leave, and we're setting up an atmosphere where even the Microsoft Network looks friendly by comparison?

I'm a member since I'm on the nodelist, I've been told. I used to own one thirty-five thousandth according to my nodelist compiler. However, it's been a long time since I stayed up nights and watched my batch files run the compiler. I've been advised that my share got smaller as Fido got bigger, but that my share has really grown of late. Whatever, on my thirty-five thousandth (or greater) share, there is no underclass!

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| Fidonet: Douglas Myers 1:270/720@fidonet.org
| Internet: doug@mdtnbbs.com
| Standard disclaimer: The views of this user are strictly his own.
| From Mdtn_BBS @mdtnbbs.com [ In the Heart of Three Mile Island ]