Guest Editorial

My Road Map
David Moufarrage
1:2613/404

I have been pondering about a "road map" for Fidonet for some time now, for more time than I have been thinking about what I could do as Zone 1 Coordinator.

Much of it is just like planning a trip: Figure out where you want to go, then look at what route you'll be taking and what you'll need along the way.

However, unless you know where you are, you won't know how to get to your destination.

Trying to figure out where Fidonet is, is a collective effort, just like our ultimate destination. This collective effort is carried out in discussions we find in our echos, FidoNews, and, to some degree, is reflected in conversations surrounding this election.

So, where are we?

1. The world is changing. The shrinking nodelist is a reflection of that change. It says to me that Fidonet didn't adapt at the rate necessary to retain its following. Fidonet needs to respond to those changes.
2. Fidonet has gone through a change in attitude. The "top-down" structure of Policy 4 is definitely no longer desired by the majority of nodes I see posting in echos.
3. Fidonet is still largely a POTS network. Fido/IP is still in its infancy. Fidonet programs are mostly text-based and more cumbersome to operate than the commercial Internet software bundled with todays PCs.

Where does this leave us?

1. Now is the time to support efforts which get our arms around Fido/IP and its implications. We need to assure a cohesive network, where POTS nodes and IP nodes can continue to communicate with each other. This requires the development and approval of common standards. Those standards are currently being developed by the FTSC.
2. Taking Fidonet into the 21st century will require that we listen to one another. It requires the ability to bring varying opinions under one roof. Fidonet is still a world-wide venture. We must treat it that way. We must strive to stay a cohesive network that uses technology to better communicate and not let technology divide us.
3. We must continue supporting our developers and try to attract new ones. New users can only be attracted by easy to use, GUI-type programs. Likewise, new nodes will look for more sophisticated bbs systems with features offered by programs such as WinServer, BBBS and EleBBS.

Where do I come in?

I have been a node in Net2613 since 1994. My first interaction with the Fido "establishment" was in late 1994 when I was asked by some users and points to prevent the hijacking of an echo. I successfully lobbied with Mike Fuchs and Bruce Bodger, an experience that left me with somewhat of an unpleasant taste for policy loopholes.

Within a few month I was elected Hub Coordinator, and later Net Coordinator.

The nodes of Region 13 elected me their RC in 1997. The decision to run for RC was initially made because I wanted to avoid having some jerk stick his/her nose into every aspect of local business, something we were quite used to in Region 13. We were also used to a lot of fighting in our regional echos, something that has almost completely stopped. We still discuss and disagree, but the climate is generally friendly and non-abrasive. It is very much conducive to reaching consensus on issues.

On a Zone-wide and Interzone level I have been involved in several areas:

1. I actively participated in the search for, and nominated, several candidates for the "new" FTSC. All of my nominees were elected and, with the exception of [Craig Box, still serve.]
2. I actively promoted the "multiple distribution system" concept which has led to the acceptance of a choice of uplink providers. This also promoted the emergence of additional free feeds.
3. I have promoted the use of Fido/IP technology, interacting with FTSC members, developers, the RCC, the Z1C and the Z2C, to create a common standard and approach. As a result of my efforts, Zone 1 introduced the 1:1/3xxx segment, which lists IP nodes in the Zone segment and raised awareness of this technology. I currently am administrating that segment.
4. Together with David Hallford I introduced the INODELST FDN. This File Distribution Network distributes a weekly extract of IP nodes in a variety of formats. This FDN consists of a number of file echos which are available through the FileGate and the Filebone.
5. Through interaction with a number of WC!5/WinServer nodes which wanted to join Fidonet I noticed the need for additional help files and tutorials. As a result I created a graphical tutorial on the setup of the Argus mailer, which allows a node to setup as a regular POTS node or a Fido/IP node.

There is a lot more work to be done. Much of the work ahead will involve creating consensus among nodes from all Zones. I believe I can help create that consensus. I have good relationships with the Zone 1 RCC, the IC, the Z2C and the Z4C, as well as a number of developers and current FTSC members. Most of all, I have good relationships with "regular" nodes all over. I have a track record in my net, my region, and, as outlined above, also on a Zone and Interzone level.

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Editor's Note: The bracketed information in item 1 above, missing in the original text, was supplied by the author in echomail conversation.