Hello Dale,

 >  MVDV> In Z2 users are an extinct species as far as I can tell.

 >    Why is that?  Did they start reading the sysop echos and
 > get scared away?

Nothing like that.

Contrary to the situation in the US local calls were never free here. They
used to be flat rate, but in the middle eighties telephone companies
started to meter local calls as well.

As a result reading echomail on-line as a user was not popular here because
of cost. Users interested in echomail got point packages installed and
became points so that they could read and write off-line.

Only those primarily interested in files and games stayed on as users.

When the internet came available for private users it was at first via
dialup. Running a server via dial-up is prohibitively expensive because of
the metered local calls. So we had the situation that the users had
InterNet but there were no BBS's offering telnet.

So the users left FidoNet for the greener pastures of the InterNet. Dial up
BBS's just can't compete when you are looking for a file.

When 24/7 access to the Internet became available via cable and adsl, BBS's
could offer telent to the users, but then it was simply too late. All the
users had gone.

 >  MVDV> Dutch echomail dropped below critical mass some 3 to 4
 >  MVDV> years ago. French echomail is gone too.

 >   We have at least two members from France, both of whom
 > access the echos via Zone 1 using the internet.

French users don't make French echomail. Just as the few Dutch participants
here do not make Dutch echomail.

Just like me those French participants may prefer to read and write in
their own language, but they have no choice.

When I said French echomail is gone, I meant echomail in the French language.

 >  MVDV> What remains are the Russians...

 >   Don't seem to have any of them in the echo I help
 > moderate, but they would be welcome.

Most Russians do not master the English language well enough to participate
in English echomail. And /they/ have a choice. There is plenty of Russian
echomail. So you won't see many of them in your echo.

 > As it is, we have participants from five continents at present.

Ask the non native English speakers what is left of the echomail in their
own language. Ask them if they would prefer to have echomail in their own
language...

 >   Bottom line:  The sky is not falling.

Not yet but the writing is on the wall for those who want to see...

Cheers, Michiel

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