Articles

Fidonet's Future?

Dear Editor,

For the past several weeks I've been watching my nodediff file being processed as it comes in, and I keep seeing this word "excluded" over and over again. Another indication to me that the Fidonet community is indeed shrinking by the week. Soon the only ones that will be left are the old timers, and perhaps, the ones that don't have internet access. Eventually, the old timers will pass on (no disrespect intended), but then What? Who will be left? If Fidonet is to survive, what are we to do before it's to late?

The other day while surfing the internet and looking at some web pages, of course, they all had links to some other related sites. The thought occured to me, Why can't we link all the Fidonet bbs's that are accessable by web the same way. By visiting one bbs web site, a person could click onto another bbs site. Fidonet then perhaps may survive on the web that way, but that doesn't say much for the sysops that don't have web access. One possible solution is to run their bbs from a remote system that does have web access. A secondary thought also occured, a to put together a list of all Fidonet bbs's accessable by web, and a secondary list of telnet boards. Perhaps these files could be updated weekly and distributed as well. If anyone is interested in taking on this responsibility for whatever reason, feel free.

Currently, my bbs isn't connected to the web as yet, but I do have web access. Thanks to my local internet provider, I do have three meg of web space to put up a web page. So last week, I began to setup that space, basically it is nothing more than a partial reflection of my bbs. I've told many of my personal friends about my web page, they looked at it and was mildly surprised at what I do for a hobby (they always see me behind a computer but didn't understand what I doing), and that another network like that even existed! Many of the Fidonet conferences that are on display on my web page, sounded interesting to them. I'm sure they will participate if they can get into a known site by web. Why can't our "Fidonet Web SysOps" link their web bbs's together and let the internet world know that there is another network out there, called Fidonet. Get them involved in Fidonet's conferences.

If anyone has web access and is interested, my bbs web page is: http://userpages.chorus.net/kilroy

At the bottom of my main page, there is one link to a local bbs that is accessable by web. I would like to add other addresses to this list that would enable anyone who clicks onto that link, would connect them to your site. Click on the one link that is listed and see for yourself. If anyone is interested in adding their web address to my list, I can be reached at the addresses listed at the end of this letter.

I know it isn't much, I've only been working at my web page for only a week now. But it's my way of attempting to get new people interested into Fidonet and Fidonet's conferences by web here locally. Perhaps, if we can link everyone together by web, it would be a way to help support Fidonet and keep it alive by focusing on our conferences. We also can't forget our Fidonet sysops that don't have a web site bbs either. We need those dial up modems bulletin board systems. There are many older computers out there in operation that aren't fast enough and/or capable of internet serfing, but can dial into a local bbs. That is our connection, by promoting Fidonet conferences. If all of the Fidonet web sysops link their sites together, and promote Fidonet conferences, advertise if need be. Set up link pages with all the web sites listed. Let the internet world know there is another network out there, called Fidonet.

What about Fidonet sysops that don't have web access? If those sysops went out and told everyone that listens, that you can get them connected to the internet, would they listen? If every sysop would go out and to talk to anyone and everyone about echo mail conferences or as some people call them chat rooms. Show those people a printed list of Fidonet conferences. Get them interested, let them know it's available by internet. Allow them access to your board, join your conferences. Even if they don't have a computer, take them out and buy them one if need be. There are plenty of stores that sells used computer equipment. Show them how to dial into your bbs, and to join your conferences and participate. Even at 2400 baud. Set them up as a point from your system, what ever it takes, get them to join and participate.

If all Fidonet sysops get together and help promote echo-mail conferences in their own areas, wheather be by dial-up modem, off-line mail readers, or by internet, what would happen to the future of Fidonet? On the other hand, What would happen to Fidonet's future if we don't do something? Let's all get together and do whatever it takes to get people involved in Fidonet conferences, our link to people on the internet.

Roy Jacobs, 1:121/89.0

E-mail: kilroy@chorus.net

My web page: http://userpages.chorus.net/kilroy