FidoNet History

*second update*
by Bob Seaborn

This goes back to the late-early days of Fidonet (about 10 years ago). The major distribution was set up and functioning, and a couple of talented programmers came along from Holland. One, Harald Harms, wrote and developed ALLFIX, a quality file-tosser, that is still extensively used today. A second, Gerard van der Land, wrote Gecho, an extremely powerful echomail tosser, which while not being continued today, influenced the development of similar programs. There were a fair number of others also, but the intent here is not to discuss the programs, read on.

With these developments came a Fidonet sysop, one Jim Smoot, at the time living in Texas, having retired from the US military, who worked with these programmers, and others, to market the fruits of their labor under what became known as the RegSite Team, at one time having members world-wide. Jim also actively developed a series of beta teams to work with the programmers and debug the developing programs, as well as test new features. During this time, Jim also represented other programs, including InterMail/InterEcho, Telemate, and many others. The RegSite Team and beta teams are still functioning today.

About 3 years ago, Jim's health dramatically failed, he was diagnosed with severe emphysema, resulting in very low lung function. This was primarily caused by his military activities, coupled with years of smoking. He also moved from Texas to Tennessee, to be closer to his immediate family (and the NASCAR tracks). After various up's and down's, he was placed on the waiting list for a lung transplant. Well the time finally arrived, last evening (November 13, 2000) I received the following email from him:

Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2000 08:08:14
From: Jim & Nancy Smoot
Subject: The time is upon us .....

Only have a few minutes, but the Transplant Coordinator at H.H. McQuire Hospital in Richmond, VA called and they have a left lung for me. Ergo, they are sending a Jet Air Ambulance to Springfield for to pick me and Miz Nancy up and fly us to Richmond where they are going to replace my left lung tonight. They haven't even taken the lung out of the other person yet.....keeping him/her on a life support system until they can get me there. Beyond that, I have NO clue if its a guy or a girl's lung, not any of the circumstances involved with the person, nor how old or young (s)he is.

I have a GREAT team of Pulmo Doctors up there, and their after surgery care is out of this world ..... really good. But, there is ALWAYS that element of chance in a procedure such as this ..... I just hope they are all sober tonight and feeling good. :)

Gotta run; will keep everyone posted on what's what and how everything is going on with me. Miz Nancy is already in a dither, running around here like a chicken with her head cut off ..... but she DOES have a method to her madness, I guarantee. I can already see some of her "doings" starting to fall into place. :)

That's it ..... gotta scoot. C U later, gang.

All The Best,

--- J. Smoot

I did have a chance to briefly talk with Jim prior to his leaving Springfield, and while he sounded somewhat worried, he was in excellent spirits, joking about his flight north. I wished him the best. At the time, he asked me to let his many Fido friends and acquaintances know what was happening with him. What follows is easiest if we use a diary format.

Tuesday, November 14, 2000

It was obviously a long sleepless night for Jim's family and close friends, and early this morning I received a phone call from Lisa, his youngest daughter, who reported that as of 7:45 EST, Jim was still in the operating room, with the doctors very optimistic as to the prognosis. She sounded very worried and upset, albeit somewhat calm. Reported that she was in better shape than Nancy, her mother.

Then about 12:15 EST Lisa called again to report that Jim was out of the operating room, and in recovery, and all is good. He will be kept there for a couple of hours, then woken up and moved to the Intensive Care Unit for a couple of days, during which time he will be asked to walk around to get the lung functional. After that, they will be monitoring him for signs of rejection. Lisa sounded very relieved, and reported that Nancy (her mother) was in high spirits. I gathered that the plans were to keep him there for a few weeks.

It's now just before 9pm EST, and Lisa just gave me the report that the doctors removed Jim's breathing tube, and he's doing very well breathing on his own. Looks like there'll be a good night's sleep for Jim's family and friends

Wednesday, November 15, 2000

It's now morning, and Jim is doing well. The doctors and therapists have had him up and walking around already to get the new lung active. Later in the day, he found time to have a quick phone conversation with his close family, and sounded very good.

Thursday, November 16, 2000

Morning, and Jim is continuing to do well, and had another brief voice call with the part of his immediate family that remained in Tennessee. Other than being slightly groggy from painkillers and other drugs, he's doing extremely well.

Friday, November 17, 2000

Another morning, and Jim is all over the place, just itching to get out of there and head home. Sounds like the Jim I know, probably itching to be at some NASCAR event.

End of the first week

Tuesday Jim was moved from Intensive Care to his own private room, and they also took him off oxygen the same day, a few coughing spells and he's breathing well on his own. I had a chance to actually chat voice with him for about 15 minutes, and he sounded as good as I ever recall him, no breathing problems whatsoever, minimal pain as the incisions heal. Probably a few cracked ribs as well, and the can be quite painful while healing. He expects to be heading home in a week or two.

If anyone is interested in sending Jim messages, please do so via email to "smoot@nwstar.com", he will receive the mail when he returns to Tennessee, however please don't expect any prompt response as he'll be doing so at his convenience.