Getting Technical

For technical information about FidoNet please see www.ftsc.org

Making connections

By: Steven Horn
To: mark lewis
Re: What should I use to connect?

mark lewis (1:3634/12) wrote to Steven Horn at 10:56 on 07 Dec 2000:

ml> i can't tell, but i think you've missed my point completely...

SH> It would appear I did.:-)

ml> i'm a fidonet node... i use fidonet software to transfer fidonet
ml> mail over the POTS connection link using fidonet protocols.

SH>I'm a Fidonet node but I transfer Fidonet mail over a telephone
SH> connection to my ISP using FNOS. Alternatively, I transfer the
SH> mail over my ADSL connection using WS-FTP Pro.

ml> i also use that exact same software to transfer fidonet mail over
ml> the internet connection link using those same fidonet protocols..
ml> FTP and SMTP are not fidonet protocols...

SH> No, but is there anything inherently wrong with that? I suppose
SH> I could set up Irex but why?

ml> FTS-0001, EMSI, ZEDZAP, FTS-0006, YOOHOO, BARK, etc..., etc...,
ml> etc... are fidonet protocols. You cannot FREQ a file with FTP or
ml> SMTP, can you? not like it is done fido POTS system to fido POTS
ml> system...

SH> WS-FTP Pro gives me a limited ability to obtain files but I agree
SH> it's not at all like a FREQ. Having said that, I haven't had to
SH> freq a file in years because every time I want one I've been able
SH> to obtain it through the Internet.

ml> i have the same situation... so i use another os which will run
ml> those other programs... this system is mainly fido... the other
ml> system(s) are for business, development, gaming, etc i guess one
ml> could say that i use a screwdriver to turn screws not beat nails
ml> <<GG>> and also that i believe that if fidonet is to remain
ml> fidonet, on a technical level, that fidonet should use connect
ml> links of whatever type they can find but that they should use
ml> fidonet protocols to move the mail and files with. Otherwise, we
ml> would be abandoning fidonet and its history and admitting that
ml> the internet is 'better'... if that all comes out as i intended
ml> it to...

SH> I take your point but I think that the only Fidonet protocol that
SH> is essential is the packet protocol. I've never been a great
SH> believer in the technical protocols and am much more interested
SH> in the network as one of persons who share a common interest in
SH> hobbyist communication.

SH> That the Internet may be a better way to move mail does not make
SH> it better than Fidonet. It simply gives alternatives in how the
SH> mail can be moved.

SH> Take care,

Steven Horn (shorn@yknet.yk.ca)
Moderator, ALASKA_CHAT and CAN_SYSLAW
* Origin: North_of_60, Whitehorse, YT, Canada (1:17/67)