Editorial

Moving Forward for Policy Change
By Frank Vest
1:1/23

Last week, this Editor wrote a Netmail to all the RCs in Fidonet. The Netmail proposed a change to Policy 4 regarding the Netmail address for the Fidonews Editor. The current Policy states that the Fidonews Editor is at 1:1/1. As most know, the Editor is currently at 1:1/23.

There have been very few responses to that Netmail. Of those responses, the general thought seems to be `Change the Editor's address to match P4'. IOW, the Fidonews Editor becomes 1:1/1 and the problem is solved. This is one way to do it. Please read on.

If that is what is decided, so be it.

This Editor doesn't see that as a remedy. Policy 4 has been stated as "not current", "out of date", "not with the times", "out of touch" and dozens of other things. Changing an address to match P4 is admitting that P4 is "with" the times and Fidonet is "out of touch".

One reply offered support and voiced a concern regarding how the change was worded by this Editor. The concern was that the portion "Contributions are submitted to the Node listed in the Zone section of the current Fidonet Nodelist as Fidonews Editor". The point was made that there are 6 Zone sections in the Fidonet Nodelist.

This editor understands this concern and did not consider that fact in the writing. Another reason that several heads are better than one. :)

The wording can be changed. This Editor would like to see the Fidonews Editor listed in the Zone that s/he resides in. What is important, however, is that the RCs come together to act on the proposal.

Another reply felt that this was a trivial matter and that there were other things in P4 that are more important.

This Editor agrees with that. This Editor also believes that before one can walk, one must take a first step. Fidonet, like the Internet and most other new babies, started on its back in a crib... nurtured by a "father and mother" figure. Both finally rolled over and learned to crawl. Both took that first step and then walked into the world. Both finally began to run. Both have fallen many times.

The difference??

The Internet got back up every time and started again.... learned what went wrong and fixed it. Fidonet went back to crawling and is still crawling along with eyes that wonder at the big Internet that runs so fast and is so big.

Now.... The Internet was slow starting. Fidonet was running before the Internet crawled. Fidonet was bigger than the Internet. What happened?? To this Editor, that is simple. When Fidonet fell, it stopped trying. Fidonet lays there crying and begging for some food. All the while, losing weight and starving. :'(

Does Fidonet need your sympathy?

NO.

Does P4 need your sympathy?

NO.

Both need your help!

Ladies and gentlemen of Fidonet. We must take that first step again. Policy has undergone change in the past. Each, in my opinion, was an attempt to document and update what was being done, how it was done and give some form of guide to Fidonet. Fidonet must do this again or face the end of Fidonet.

It has been said that P4 can not be changed. I disagree.

P4 has been changed. The current is P4.07. That, in and of itself, indicates that there was a P4.00. Even if that is not enough, P4 in itself gives a method for change. The problem is that Fidonet seems perfectly happy to crawl along and cry for it's milk.... or lay there and die. It's simply easier to sit back and cry that P4 can't be changed because it is too hard. It's easier to blame the Internet. The easiest is to blame each other. Simply say "It's their fault!" "They did it!!" "Daddy!!" "That bad P4 hurt me!".

How to change P4??

It won't happen by crying "That bad P4 hurt me!".

Section 8 of P4 tells how to make a change. The RCs make a referenda to the IC who takes it to the *Cs in general for a vote.

How hard is this to understand??

The RCs are asked to make a change. A group or person can ask them. Provide good reason(s) for the change. Remember that your Net, Region or Zone is not the only one in Fidonet. Give GOOD reasons.

Alternately, the RCs can initiate a change. They see a part of Policy that needs updated and then bring that to the IC. This can only happen if the RCs pay attention to their job and find out what is being done in Fidonet that works and what technical changes are happening. Then take this to the IC with the proposed changes for a vote of the *C structure. That is what the *Cs are for.

This Editor is encouraged by the response received. There is interest and that is important.

Ok, this Editor has rambled enough. The effort has been made. If this effort fails, so be it. I'll go on with the knowledge that I tried. Can you, or will you be able to say the same???

Thanks to all and best wishes to Fidonet,

Frank Vest - Editor, Fidonews