Hello Dale,

 AS>>> If you track nodelist for a year or two you'll see that the
 AS>>> number of ip nodes increases and the number of POTS ones decreases.

 MVDV>> That has been the trend over the last two years. Trends
 MVDV>> however have been known to reverse or take a tangent.

 DS>   Some, but not most -- else they would not be true trends.

An observation that is useless for predicting the futuee, as determining
which ones are true trends and which ones were not is only done in
retrospect.

 MVDV>> Predicting the future is risky business. If you believe you
 MVDV>> can do it by just reading the trend, I suggest you stay
 MVDV>away from the stock market. ;-)

 DS>   There are proven theories of mathematical analysis of stock market
 DS>   trends that have made millions for those who use them wisely.

If these theories really work, why aren't /you/ rich?

Dream on!

 AS>>> For me it is clear sign about the fidonet future (if any).

 MVDV>> Yes, there is the "if any" part too.

 DS>    Depends on how much we keep the blinders on.

That is assuming the factors that decide wheter FidoNet survives are at all
under our control.

 MVDV>> If FidoNet cuddles too closely with the InterNet she runs
 MVDV>> the risk of being assimilated by it, thus ceasing to exist

 DS> And if fidonet attempts to pretend that the internet does not exist,

Who sugested THAT?

 DS>    then it runs the risk of being trampled by it.

Face reality Dale, FidoNet HAS already been trampled by the InterNet! In
the countries were the InterNet has become availabe to the masses, of the
sysops, users and points that once particpated in FidoNet, not more than a
mere percent is partcipating now. The other 99% has left FidoNet for the
InterNet, never to return.

 DS> Instead, fidonet should learn to use the internet to further
 DS> its goals -- and adapt those goals

Tell me what the goals of FidoNet are...

 MVDV>> as we know it. The trend is already there. The use of
 MVDV>> netmail decreases whereas the use of e-mail between
 MVDV>> participants increases...

 DS>    And your point is?

FidoNet is losing even more ground.

 DS> Although netmail may well have been the primary
 DS> reason for the creation of fidonet, it is no longer very
 DS> relevant for many of us.

And so we simply give it up .. :-(

As file requests btw. They seem to become a thing of the past too.

 DS>  The dominant force is echomail, and is (IMO) about the
 DS>  only thing that gives fidonet a reason for continued existence.

But for how long?

It seems the main topic of FidoNet is FidoNet itself these days. FidoNet no
longer seems to have a purpose beyond it's pure existence. How long can a
situation like that last?

Have a look outside the sysop en admin echos and have a look in the topic
echos. THAT is what it should be all about. All the rest is overhead.

Let me tell you a secret. In many countries where English is not the native
tongue, FidoNet echomail has come to a complete halt oustside the admin
echos. ALL the users have left. It is just a few sysops talking to each
other.

So how do you see the future of FidoNet?

Cheers, Michiel

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