Articles

To IONet or Not to IONet,
That is a Question?
By Frank Vest
1:124/6308
flv@texoma.net

"Discussion" (term used loosely) was started in the Z1C Echo by the Z1C. The idea was to possibly start a Internet Only Net outside of all the Regions in Zone1. This Net would offer help to IONs and offer Node listings to those that wanted to be in that Net. Of course, if a Node didn't want to be in that Net, they could be listed in another Net. Nothing forced, only offered.

The response has been varied from "Why are we still discussing this non-issue?" to concerns about other Nets and Regions that are already offering IONodes a place to be listed.

Some points of note have been both positive and negative as follows:

The new IONet would offer a help system to assist those who join that Net, or Fidonet in general, in finding what they need and, I would assume, help for new prospects in setups and such.

The IONet would be closer to the top of the Z1 Nodelist and be easier for prospects to find.

An IONet could segregate ION's from the rest of Fidonet due their ability to connect and other issues of software.

Instead of an IONet, list some sources on help on specific topics in the ZIN section of the Nodelist. Ask for volunteers to be listed as was, I believe, done in years past with software authors and such. They could have a separate listing as a "Help Node" or "Contact Node" as well as being listed in their own Net/Region.

The main thought in this seemed to be to catch any prospective new Nodes that might `fall through the cracks", as it were, in finding help or information about joining Fidonet and offer a place for them if desired or if they could not find a Net that could support them.

This discussion was in the Z1C Echo and, I presume, can still be discussed there if you have access.

Please see the "Question of the Week" and feel free to submit your article on this.