Paul Hayton wrote to Alan Ianson:

PH> The echoarea is gated by me to alt.bbs.mystic and has been for a number of
PH> months now. I set the bi-directional gate in motion with the knowledge of
PH> and blessing of both Nick and James (MYSTIC moderators). It was set up to
PH> allow those on either side of the Usenet/Fidonet spectrum to be able to
PH> engage with each other and access the support of the author. I had seen
PH> requests for help in the Usenet newsgroup go unanswered previously.

Yep, and as far as I can see the gate functions well.

PH> If you have access to FN_SYSOP head back to mid August of this year and
PH> re-read the thread 'Why I hate Usenet Gateing' and that will outline the
PH> concerns/views raised by several. It also shows the steps I took to
PH> ally/accomodate most of them. e.g. adjusted kludge settings on the gateway
PH> software, nodelisted the gatway address.

Ah, it was FN_SYSOP. That was going to be my next guess.. ;)

PH> In sum, the views of a few were that anything coming from Usenet into Fido
PH> should be viewed as spam and a cheap method for generating traffic/
PH> activity in the echoarea.
PH> 
PH> My view is that if the dialouge is on topic and there are those who want 
PH> to engage with other like minded souls on a area of interest then I
PH> see no issue with providing a conduit (managed as well as it can be
PH> in terms of spam filters etc.) to allow folks to connect.

Yep, and it does that well. Better to have it than not.

PH> The CBM and RBERRYPI echoareas are the other two that I gate in the same
PH> manner.

Yep, I have those areas here as well and they have never been a problem.

PH> Hope this helps explain things for those who were unaware. In any regard 
PH> when I started the gateway in MYSTIC I announced it at the time and
PH> what little spam has come across from the Usenet side in the form of
PH> bot BBS adverts posted monthly has (for the most part) been stopped
PH> at the gate :) It's not 100% full proof but I remain proactive to
PH> ensuring it's on-topic stuff the gate allows through.

As far as I know that is the only gateway of it's kind for a BBS support
echo, and it works well..

+1

 Ttyl :-)
        Al

... Do you like me for my brain, or my BAUD?

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