Guest Editorial

Dallas Hinton's
Z1C Candidate's Statement
(originally posted in Z1Election)
by Dallas Hinton (1:153/715)

Hi All!

In order to introduce myself to those of you who don't know me, or who only think they know me, here is some information which might help you. If you have questions to ask of me, I'll be pleased to answer.

Who am I:

I'm a 53 year old male (in Canada, my name can be used by people of either gender). I've been married to my best girlfriend for 30 years, and we have one special needs child (13 years old).

I'm employed as a Computer Science and Career Preparation teacher with Grade 9-12 students (ages 15 - 19) in a large (1800+) multi-ethnic high school in Vancouver, BC.

I am an elected executive member of the local teacher's union (3000 members).

What is my background:

I have run a full-time multi-line dial-up BBS since 1988, starting with Opus/Seadog and progressing to my current Max/Squish/Binkley setup.

I have been an NEC and an NC of a large net (Net 153 was over 350 members when I was NC), and am currently in my 6th year as RC of Region 17.

I have been (or still am) an Alpha or Beta test site for Max, Squish, Binkley, Areafix, MsgEd, timEd, Xlaxnode, Wtrgate, and other minor software.

I'm experienced at working with people, both volunteer and draftees.

I have a good understanding of computer technology although I'm not a certificated technician.

I teach Pascal but don't consider myself a programmer.

I have a verifiable history of coordinating, and of letting the R17 *Cs run their nets in their own way. I also have a verifiable history of stepping in when a node has complained (and proven) that a *C has behaved in an arbitrary and dictatorial manner. While I wouldn't describe a *C as ONLY a "nodelist keeper", I'm certainly in favour of a hands-off policy of coordination at any level.

I have a verifiable history of helping nodes and *Cs with any aspect of FidoNet and/or computing whether by supplying software, advice, or consolation!

Despite what you may think about my relationship with Ward Dossche, I get along with him reasonably well. I also get along with the other ZCs, as I do with the Zone 1 RCs.

What do I believe:

I believe that each sysop should determine his/her own destiny in FidoNet.

I believe that FidoNet is essentially an anarchy, even when we hold "democratic" or psuedo-democratic elections.

I believe in being fair when dealing with people.

I believe in being taking a global view.

I believe in being polite and courteous at all times.

I believe in doing the best I can.

I'm willing to say "I don't know", but I believe in doing my best to find out.

I believe in saying "I'm sorry" and "I was wrong" when that is true.

I believe in leaving echomail transport methods alone, to operate when and how the transporters wish.

I believe that policy complaints should be the last resort, but if someone has made a PC it should be dealt with as speedily as possible.

I believe that PCs should be settled with the idea of fairness to all parties, not necessarily by who is "right".

I believe that the Z1C is a coordinator, not a boss.

I believe Policy 4 needs to be interpreted somewhat more broadly than has been past practice. I would like to see it re-written, but I recognize how difficult it's going to be to get it accepted. Although a majority of all RCs in all zones must approve consideration of a new version, I think we can do it.

If I become Z1C, what will I do:

I'm willing to continue the practice of automatic geographic exemptions as defined by Bob Satti.

I'm willing to work with others to get (or keep) non-dialup BBSs in the nodelist by appropriate modifications to our formats.

I will build and publish a summary of policy complaints as they are resolved.

And finally:

I have a life outside FidoNet -- I'm not going to sit obsessively over the keyboard waiting for the next message to arrive! I do, however, check my mail regularly and I answer mail in a timely fashion.