Hi Alex,

 MV>> If FidoNet cuddles too closely with the InterNet she runs the risk of
 MV>> being assimilated by it, thus ceasing to exist as we know it. The
 MV>> trend is already there. The use of netmail decreases whereas the use
 MV>> of e-mail between FidoNet participants increases...

 AS> Well, I cannot predict the future, but I can see what is happening now.
 AS> Let us divide the internet as ip (transport level) and as a global
 AS> network connecting people. You may see a variety of protocols which
 AS> use ip as transport (gopher /http/ftp/ICQ/IRC/news/forums/chats etc)
 AS> and I see fidonet also benefits from this transport.

Yes and so Binkp is just another protocol that is put on top of the TCP/IP
structure of the InterNet.

When adding something one always has to ask "what is the added
value". So I ask you, what does Binkp offer that is not already
offered to the InterNet user by http/ftp/ICQ/ etc?

Because that is what you are talking about aren't you? You want to attract
new users and the only place they can be found is the InterNet.  What has
FidoNet to offer to /them/?

 AS> I see here a common trend. I mean people need more than only
 AS> transport, they also need to be organised by some social mean.

What is the social structure of FidoNet? Do you really think it will stay
upright if we radiacally change technology? I doubt it. Let's face it, the
only thing the members of FidoNet have in common is that they play with
mailers. The moment they don;t need mailers anymore to communicate the
social structure will collapse like a sand castle in the waves.

 AS> This makes me think fidonet has its future, but to achieve it
 AS> fidonet should be changed in a way, at least it should be open
 AS> to the new transport which is far better than modem2modem technology.

Fidonet was a success because it got so much out of that modem to modem
technology. A technology that was the only one available at the time.

But when alternatives are readily available to everyone, why would anyone
need FidoNet anymore? What is the added value?

The social aspect? Oh, come on. How long do you think FidoNet would last if
the nodelist was converted into an InterNet mailing list?

If I have a permanent connection to the InterNet and so I do not have to
worry about cost of on-line time, why do I need FidoNet anymore. The
strenght of FTN is that it is so economical with on-line time.

Have you never wondered why pointing never became popular in Z1? Let me
tell you; it is because local calls aren't metered in most cases. There is
no pressure on the users to become a point to save money!

So what is the added value of using FTN when I have a permanent connection
to the InterNet? Why should I put up with pig headed sysops of FidoNet
distribution systems to send netmail to the other side op the world when I
have free e-mail? Why should I put up with all the nonsense of P4,
moderators, coordinators and the like that were primarily put there to save
cost when cost no longer is an issue?

 AS> So here is my main idea. We can save fidonet as a community
 AS> only in case we will benefit from the modern technical possibilities.

I don't think so. The FidoNet community as you see it, has no viability of
it's own. FidoNet IS the technology. You can't separate the two.

 AS> If we delay and keep for old-fashion technology, nothing will save this
 AS> community, it will die step by step because new people don't join.

New people won't join, period.

There is still a place for horses in this world. There is a place for
FidoNet too. But just like with the horse, the answer is not fitting the
horse with wheels and get people to abandon their cars.


Cheers, Michiel

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